Sparvo Tunnel

Sparvo Tunnel

(Image Credits: Structurae)

Despite its financial crisis, Italy is trying to revamp its existing infrastructural system. One such project in their scheme of things is reconstructing part of the A1 ‘Autostrada’ highway, Europe’s oldest highway by extending it using the Sparvo Tunnel. Probably the busiest section of the highway (the route covers 90000 vehicles in a day between Florence-Bologna), the 2,413 m long Sparvo Tunnel with 2 parallel running bores.   

“In (a) government-funded transportation program, the world’s largest boring machine was used to create the 2.6‑kilometer Sparvo Tunnel, part of a‑US$208 million project improving road infrastructure between the Italian cities of Bologna and Florence. Judges noted the importance of maintaining strong national connectivity through Italy’s economic core, noting the 70 kilometer extension for the A1 ‘Autostrada’ highway will clear bottlenecks and shorten traffic journeys. The machine, named Martina, has a boring diameter of 15.615 meters and comprises two parallel tubes 2.5 kilometers in length.” (KPMG)

The project had been completed last year, after numerous delays. Yet this project has to be appreciated as the highway is being built on some of the difficult mountainous terrain one can encounter. The project has demanded some of the most complex tunnelling and viaduct works.