Revamping Romanian Railways: Eastship Facilitates Key Transports for Landmark Tunnel Project

The modernization of the railway between Sighi?oara and Bra?ov marks a transformative milestone in Romania's transportation landscape. In 2020, CNCF CFR SA and the Railworks consortium (comprising Alstom, Arcada, Aktor, Euroconstruct Trading 98) signed an essential contract to undertake the upgrade of the Bra?ov-Sighi?oara railway, covering an extensive 128 kilometer stretch.

The project includes :

• Rehabilitation of 3 stations, namely Raco?, Mateia?, and Ormeni?
• Construction of 2 overpasses
• Development of 7 bridges
• Installation of ten culverts, facilitating water drainage and maintaining the integrity of the railway infrastructure.
• Erection of three viaducts, offering elevated passages for trains, spanning challenging terrain and promoting a more seamless journey.

At the core of this ambitious endeavor are two monumental tunnels, measuring 7 and 5 kilometers each, respectively. To accomplish this feat, state-of-the-art Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), affectionately called "carti?ele" or moles, have been deployed.

These colossal machines are capable of advancing 15 meters per day, and will work 24h/day, 6 days/week. So the 7km tunnel will be completed in 18-19 weeks and the 5km one in 14-15 weeks

With each TBM affectionately named after a girl - Alexa, Melinda, Evelina, and Katerina - the excavation of two record-breaking double tunnels: the seven-kilometer Ormeni? gallery and the five-kilometer Homorod gallery is poised to be an extraordinary accomplishment.

The first TBM has been delivered and has started working on 15 June and of the remaining 3 , 2 have just been delivered and will start work on 30 August and 30 September and the last one will be delivered in September and is set to start work on 15 November.

As a logistics partner for this project, EASTSHIP has played a pivotal role in transporting the massive TBMs to their designated locations. Despite the challenges posed by navigating winding mountain roads, the experienced Eastship team has handled the transport of some parts exceeding 5.5 meters in width for over 500km with remarkable precision and efficiency.

Once completed, the upgraded railway section between Sighi?oara and Bra?ov will facilitate train speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour, reducing travel time between the two tourist cities significantly. Presently, trains navigate this stretch at a modest pace of 40 kilometers per hour.

Sources :https://mediaflux.ro/grecii-de-la-aktor-incep-cel-mai-mare-si-dificil-proiect-feroviar-din-romania-4-tuneluri-de-peste-24-km-strapung-carpatii-pentru-calea-ferata-brasov-sighisoara/

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