Development of traffic and transport tunnels in Czech Republic in past decades

Abstract

The paper presents a review of the history, current constructions and the most important plans in constructing railway and road tunnels in the Czech Republic. Individual tunnels are briefly, technically described; other significant characteristics of the works are presented, including the tunnelling method which was used during the construction. The only method used in tunnel construction after 1989 is the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. After 1990, 15 large tunnels have been completed using New Austrian Tunnelling Method – 8 railway tunnels and 7 motorway and road ones in Czech republic. Owing to the dominating application of the NATM, a number of technologies associated mainly with excavation support and stabilisation of the overburdeen has developed in our country. The excellent tradition of our underground construction industry and the construction of long tunnels will require full-face tunnel machines in the near future.