Munich second trunk line begins mechanical tunnel excavation

The ARGE Tunnel Hauptbahnhof, a consortium including Wayss & Freytag, Max Bögl, Züblin, and Bauer Spezialtiefbau, has successfully launched the first mechanical tunnel excavation for Munich’s second trunk line (2. Stammstrecke).

This milestone involves the deployment of ‘Donna Maria’, a 178-meter-long, 700-ton Mixshield tunnel boring machine developed in collaboration with Herrenknecht. Designed specifically for Munich’s geological conditions, the machine will operate at depths of up to 40 meters to create a three-kilometer exploration and rescue tunnel from Donnersbergerbrücke toward Marienhof.

The project is considered one of Germany’s most significant infrastructure developments, aimed at improving long-term mobility and strengthening the regional economy.