Working in the Eppenberg: the hole in the rock becomes a new railway line – Niederamt – Solothurn

Sealing and concreting of the sole

It is important to ensure sufficient distance between work processes. Thomas Schweizer, project manager at Eppenberg at CFF

The distance between the different areas of activity on the construction site is about 100 meters. The most obvious machines currently used are the Sohlschalwagen, the sealing car and two trolleys. The Sohlschalwagen is a construction vehicle with the help of which the tunnel floor is concreted. This is done in steps of 25 meters and in one piece. According to Benjamin Karli, head of the Eppenberg site of the SBB site, this car will treat about 300 cubic meters of concrete per floor. The supply of construction material via a pump, which works with the Sohlschalwagen. Self-compacting concrete is mixed directly on site, for example, from the material formed during the eruption.

"Precise Mode of Operation"

If a section of the tunnel includes a waterproofing trolley and a soffit, the following vault procedure gives the tunnel arc its finish. The length of one step is 12.5 meters. Benjamin Karli points out: "Concrete must be absolutely clean."

The vault carriage consists of

a load-bearing structure that moves with tires and is precisely positioned with the help of hydraulic cylinders. East. The side panels are unfolded and secured with pins. According to experts, about 100 cubic meters of concrete are treated per floor. "The formwork is traditionally made of wood then poured with concrete.The equipment is the same as that of the car sling car.According to Benjamin Karli and Thomas Schweizer, the construction project is on track. Tunneler from Gretzenbach had drilled the mountain (according to AZ), since then the huge 2,400 ton machine was dismantled.The last element was removed from the site in early June

. three emergency exits

The three emergency exits "Aarauerstrasse", "Schönenwerd" and "Gretzenbach" are connected to the main tunnel Benjamin Karli: "The emergency exits are governed by particularly strict rules, even with regard to the number. "During the company workers' concrete holiday, the tunnel floor is also filled with gravel." The basement is made of concrete in places with residential areas above the tunnel ", explains the che With the help of this technique, the vibrations would be transmitted less to the environment.

The Eppenberg tunnel will still have many structural effects. One of them is the creation of 19 new points in the east exit of Olten station. What creates more capacity eventually requires patience on the part of train passengers, so that there are time restrictions.