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Mörlenbach's tunnel construction: Courageous excavators dig for the future!
Find out everything about the tunnel construction of the Mörlenbach bypass road in the Odenwald: progress, challenges and costs.
Mörlenbach's tunnel construction: Courageous excavators dig for the future!
A large construction project is being pushed forward at full speed in the picturesque Odenwald: the bypass road near Mörlenbach, Hessen Mobil's largest project, has now taken official shape. Work has been underway on the B 38 federal highway since October 2020, and the most recent milestone is the start of work on the “Berkersklamm” tunnel, which started a few weeks ago. Given the progress made so far, the bypass is now expected to be completed in 2029, which is several years later than originally planned. Hessen.de reports that the delays are primarily due to a lengthy permitting phase and additional exploratory drilling.
Two tunnels and two viaducts will be built on a stretch of around 3.9 kilometers that runs in a north-easterly direction. The planned structures include the Reisen valley bridge, which measures an impressive 400 meters, and the Mörlenbach valley bridge, which measures 300 meters. What's remarkable is that around 40 percent of the entire route will pass through buildings. Hesse show emphasizes that the first structures such as the overpass of the Panoramastrasse have already been completed and the construction road for the Reisen valley bridge and the Berkersklamm tunnel is in operation.
Tunnel construction: Maximum precision required
Granite rock is currently being mined, which is not without dangers. The tunnel excavator, an impressive machine weighing 60 tons, must be controlled precisely. Safety precautions are the top priority: a special sheet metal panel with metal rings monitors the number of workers in the tunnel. In addition, shotcrete is used to stabilize the walls and minimize the risk of falling stones. Life in the tunnel is characterized by warm temperatures and darkness, which poses some challenges for the workers. Construction manager Jürgen Schmidt, who can look back on almost 30 years of experience in tunnel construction, expressed his pride in the progress and wishes everyone involved safety with the traditional “Good luck!” that is often heard in this industry.
The bypass is not only intended to relieve the traffic that has to make its way through the narrow town thoroughfare, but is also intended to be environmentally friendly, as the road is hidden underground. The fact that a good hand is required is reflected in the planning, which places a clear focus on sustainability and environmental protection. Ramboll supports with expertise in the areas of planning, development and project management in order to meet this requirement.