Kvesheti-Kobi Road Tunnel

The world’s record breaking hard rock TBM

The 'Caucasus' TBM excavation length of the tunnel in this project is 8,860meters, with a maximum overburden of 1,121 meters, generally above 600 meters. The rock types are mainly tuff and mudstone. In response to the construction difficulties caused by the long distance, large overburden, and strong rock hardness of the project, CREG adopted many targeted designs such as the large diameter single shield TBM active articulation system,assembly system, bidirectional rotating synchronous cutterhead, dual speed reducer system, box culvert synchronous assembly, etc., achieving precise adjustment of the TBM posture and strong breakout function of the large overburden TBM, and improving the efficient matching ability of the entire machine of the large diameter hard rock TBM.

Project Background

The Kvesheti-Kobi Road of North-South Corridor is located in Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region in northern Georgia. It is an important passage connecting Georgia with neighboring countries such as Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. In the Gudauri mountain area in the middle of the line, it is snowy in winter, and the annual average temperature is lower than 5 degrees Celsius. The mountain roads are rugged and hard to travel due to frequently occurred avalanches. Snowfall often causes continuous traffic interruptions for up to twenty days, causing great inconveniences to regional transportation. The new Kvesheti-Kobi road tunnel travels through the bottom of the Gudauri mountain ridge. After completion, it will completely solve the problem of traffic interruption in the Gudauri mountain area in winter and can effectively guarantee the transportation of local production and living materials.

right side

Kvesheti-Kobi Road Tunnel Route

The "Caucasus"TBM completed tunnelling 30 days ahead of schedule

The TBM is ready to bore