As the company states, this is one of the few transportation projects in Europe where four TBMs are being used simultaneously, and it is considered emblematic for Romania, as it not only signifies the modernization of its railway network but also forms part of the strategically important Trans-European Rhine-Danube corridor.
Specifically, AKTOR Romania, which is carrying out the contract for the upgrade of the Apața - Cața section of the Brasov – Sighisoara railway line, activated the long-awaited 4th TBM, which weighs 1,500 tons and has a length of 100 meters, after gradually putting 3 more TBMs into operation in previous months. The 4th TBM began drilling the slope of the hill located just 4 kilometers west of Racoș, thus complementing the 3rd TBM that was activated 3 months ago and is gradually advancing deep into the mountain.
The two TBMs will drill twin tunnels, each 5.1 kilometers long, heading towards Homorod, which will form the northern pair of tunnels, while the work continues on the southern pair, where the first two TBMs, which were put into operation earlier in 2024, are drilling twin tunnels 6.9 km long, heading towards Apața. Each TBM can drill 10-15 meters per day on average, operating six days a week with one day for maintenance.
It is noted that, according to the Romanian press, AKTOR is ranked among the top railway contractors that achieved the highest construction pace in Romania in 2024.
“The installation of a TBM and the start of drilling are complex processes that require detailed planning, preparation, and execution. Using TBMs, we can construct tunnels with greater accuracy, safety, and environmental care than traditional methods allow. This innovative approach to tunnel construction opens up new possibilities for infrastructure development, while minimizing the impact on the surrounding area,” explains the project manager, Sotirios Koropoulis.
The project “Restoration of the Brasov-Simeria railway line, part of the Rhine-Danube corridor, for traffic at a maximum speed of 160 km/h, Brasov - Sighisoara section, sub-sections: Apata - Cata LOT 2 (Romania)”, with a budget of €573 million, co-financed by the European Union, is the largest project currently being executed by the AKTOR Group in Romania. At the same time, AKTOR Romania has undertaken the restoration of two other sub-sections of the same line (Brasov – Simeria), "Brasov – Apața" and "Cața – Sighisoara," with a combined budget of over €186 million.
