Castelfeder Tunnel in Bolzano Province is Good Example of Safety during Construction
Bolzano province’s councillors Florian Mussner (public works) and Luisa Gnecchi (labour, innovation, parity, cooperation, professional training and Italian language schools) visited the Ora road bypass on 20th March, 2007. They stressed the commitment for safety of the tunnellers in difficult working conditions such as in tunnels. On the more than 100 ongoing jobsites in Bolzano province, no particular incident has been reported.
At the Castelfeder tunnel of the Ora road bypass project, special safety measures have been adopted. At the Castelfeder tunnel, where the drill/blast method is used, adecuate noise protection measures have been adopted. Only two operators work on board the jumbo’s soundproof cabin, the explosives are loaded using a lift platform, and the electrical system with earth connection is at 300 metres from the face.
The face is secured with shotcrete and there is no simultaneous drilling of the baslt holes and loading of explosives. Before the blast is triggered, all road traffic is stopped and the personnel recedes to a minimum of 250 metres behind the face.
Rock spalling with a hydraulic jack hammer incurs the risk of rock falling from the crown. Therefore, the excavator operates in areas where the crown has been secured and the work zone must be clear of any workers.
Regarding anti-fire measures, there will be a water tank of 5,000 litres and a water inlet for firefighters at the entrance of the Castelfeder tunnel, a rescue vehicle for immediate evacuation and all extinguishing means on board. For emergencies, the tunnel is fitted with telephones, an alarm-triggering system and an automatic weather reporting system. Also, weekly meetings are held between the Bolzano province and the contractors, measurements are undertaken to control the noise, dust, gas and ventilation, and periodical meetings are organised with the firefighters and the managers.
During a blast in the tunnel in March, then nearly half completed, an important collapse took place which created a major overbreak of a height of up to 18 metres. The collapsed area was then filled up with concrete. Subsequently, measures were taken to avoid similar overexcavation. Measurements were made and the face has been monitored.
The first contracts of the Ora road bypass were awarded in August 2006. Completion of the project, which cost is approximately EUR52 million, is scheduled for 2010. The Ora road bypass forms part of a major traffic improvement scheme in Lower Atesina valley, in twhich the Bolzano province will invest EUR230 million. The objective is to improve life quality for residents by relieving the pressure of traffic in the Ora and Egna areas and the connection between trunk road SS 12 in Fiemme valley and the Brenner highway A22.
The first lot includes the construction of the 982 m single-bored Castelfeder tunnel and the 145 m Montan tunnel. A roundabout will be built between the two tunnels to deviate traffic towards Ora and the Fiemme valley. EUR32 million will be spent for these works and opening to traffic is expected for October 2008. The second lot includes the construction of the 1,062 m San Daniele tunnel. In total, the new Ora road bypass will span 2.9 kilometres. Click here. Read E-News Weekly 50/2006 & 20/2006. 25/07.
Councillors Florian Mussner and Luis Gnecchi
on their visit to the Castelfeder tunnel
