The Swiss firms Implenia and Frutiger are handling a tunnel contract worth nearly €436 million in Switzerland. The two companies will design and construct the 4.4km Sisikon Tunnel in a joint venture partnership, with Implenia holding a 60% stake and Frutiger holding 40%.
The new route will form part of the Axenstrasse route that runs along the shores of Lake Uri and Lake Lucerne. The project will feature a single, two-way road tunnel and the JV partners will use conventional drill and blast technology to drive the bore. The partners will also build other underground structures such as access tunnels, passing places, ventilation hubs and exhaust ducts. With up to seven simultaneous tunnelling points and very tight space conditions, the job presents some technical challenges according to Implenia. The construction work will commence in 2025 and will take until 2034 to complete.
In addition to the tunnelling, various external works are being carried out by other Implenia civil engineering units, including the construction of a large gallery to protect against natural hazards. Around 2 million tonnes of material will be excavated, most of which will be transported on barges to a large renaturation project on the Reuss Delta in Flüelen.
“We and our JV partner Frutiger are very pleased to be building this vital transport link in central Switzerland. The creation of the Sisikon tunnel involves challenging work in a very special location, making it a perfect fit for Implenia’s strategy as a specialist in large and complex transport infrastructure. We will be able to contribute our extensive expertise and experience in tunnel construction and civil engineering,” said Christian Späth, Head Division Civil Engineering at Implenia.
