Sochi, Russia

Sochi, Russia

Heavy-duty roadheaders are contributing in large measure to preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

The new highway tunnels are all relatively short, ranging from a few hundred meters to less than 3km. Most are designed as NATM excavations and almost all have been excavated using the Wirth Paurat roadheaders. The T3.20 machines, have an installed 300kW cutting power and weighing about 120 tonne. The machines are ideal for excavating the medium to hard rock of between 120-150MPa compressive strength, and provide a safer working environment than conventional drill+blast. With 2 PPS Guidance systems they also avoid unnecessary overbreak and rock disturbance and can provide shorter cycle times for faster progress rates.