In October 2019, this year's listeners of the lecture "Rock and Tunnel Construction" visited the construction lot SBT 2.1 - Intermediate attack Fröschnitzgraben - part of the future Semmering Base Tunnel.

The group was welcomed by Mr. DI Wolfgang Schwengerer and led to the construction office. A detailed and informative presentation took place there, about the selection of the route, the development of the project and its importance for transport and the economy in Austria. In particular, the project-related challenges were explained. After a subsequent safety briefing, the visitors were divided into two smaller groups.

One group was brought to a depth of 400m via the two elevators used in the shaft structure into the caverns. There was an interesting tour of the construction site for the emergency stop. Only the rails in the direction of the TBMs could be seen, because both tunnel boring machines are located deep in the mountains and ensure the daily progress of the tunnel route. The massive segments could also be seen up close as well as the conveyor belt system, which continuously discharges the excavated material.

Meanwhile, the other group was taken to the Fröschnitzgraben information tower, where they could enjoy a panoramic view of the above-ground construction site. From here, the constructed water treatment plant and a large section of reinforced earth could be seen. The above-ground excursion ended with a lot of further information from Mr. Ing. Johann Höllisch.

This was followed by a group exchange so that everyone could get a complete insight into this impressive technical project! A big thank you to Mr. DI Schwengerer and Mr. Höllisch for this exciting construction site excursion!