The long-awaited City-Tunnel Leipzig project involved the construction of a two-ramp entry section, two parallel shield-driven tunnels, each approximately 1.5km long, four underground stations, and an open cut exit to the existing track system.
The project was designed as the centerpiece of the reorganisation of the greater Leipzig rail system, providing a direct link between Leipzig’s main station, one of the largest in Europe, and the southern part of the city.
“Cemex is incredibly proud to have been a part of this landmark project for the city of Leipzig,” says Eric Wittman, president of Cemex in Germany.
“We expect the City-Tunnel to facilitate the commutes for millions of residents and visitors of Leipzig for generations to come.”
The project required specialty concrete solutions, including underwater concrete for the tunnel floors; auger pile concrete; diaphragm wall concrete; steel-fabric air-placed concrete; structural concrete; self-compacting exposed concrete, as well as the extensive use of architectural concrete at the four impressive underground stations.
Supplying multiple construction sites amid big city traffic posed major logistical challenges. Project planners often scheduled work for completion at night.
At times, multiple large-scale pours of up to 1,000m³ were required every day at various individual sites. Indeed, at one point, Cemex steadily supplied the construction site at the main station in the city’s centre with 5,000m³ of underwater concrete in three days.
