(ANSA) - Turin, February 22 - Excavation is complete on the
exploratory tunnel in Chiomonte, the first part in Italian works
on the Turin-Lyon high-speed train (TAV), where the drill
reached a depth of 7,020 metres, said Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin
(TELT), the company in charge of building and managing the
railway, on Wednesday.
"The resources of the last 500 metres will be used for some
finishing work that will facilitate the start of the main work,"
it said.
The exploratory tunnel cost 173 million euros and the
worksite opened in 2012.
The construction involved 460 businesses, 42% of them from
the Susa Valley, 14% from the rest of Piedmont, and 4% from the
rest of Italy and abroad.
At the peak of construction there were 170 workers employed.
Technical director Maurizio Bufalini said 5% of the overall
budget was allocated for environmental monitoring, with checks
on 137 criteria.
Chiomonte TAV exploratory tunnel complete (2)
Drill went down to 7,020 metres