Aigion Railway Tunne

Highway tunnel entrance in a hillside with guardrails and a road sign
Location Greece
Project Duration 2004–2010
Industry Infrastructure Transportation
Client ERGA O.S.E. S.A. (Greek Railways Infrastructure Works)

Rehabilitation of railway line Corinth – Patra, Construction of Railway Tunnel at Aigion, Greece

Technical Details

The project involves the construction of the Aigion Tunnel, part of the section between Km 75 and Km 90 of the new Corinth–Patras double-track railway line (standard gauge of 1435 mm). Located after the new Aigion Railway Station, the tunnel extends through the wider area of the city of Aigion.

The underground route of the new railway line initially passes through the residential area of “Kouloura”, bypasses the city of Aigion, and terminates near the “Kouniniotis” factory. The Aigion Tunnel is a bi-directional tunnel and consists of a single railway branch.

The maximum operational speed is 160 km/h.

Specifically, the project includes:

  • Aigion tunnel with a total length of 3.252 m and 3 escape tunnels, spaced approx. every 1.000 m (total length approx. 800 m) and access roads totaling 105 m. The natural ground elevation along the tunnel alignment ranges from +43m to +44m at the portal areas, reaching approx. +114m at the point of maximum overburden. Excavation was carried out in accordance with the New Austrian Tunneling Method (ΝΑΤΜ).
  • Cover & Cut and Cut & Cover sections at the tunnel entrance, with lengths of 105 m and 120 m, respectively
  • Cut & Cover section at the tunnel exit with a length of 41 m
  • Overpass with a length of 32 m
  • Permanent retaining pile walls for the vertical slopes of the excavation after the new Aigion Railway Station. The right-side retaining wall is 190 m long and the left-side retaining wall is 89.5 m long.
  • Retaining pile wall of 88 m for the permanent stabilization of the slope upstream of the western Electrical/Mechanical building.
Tunnel portal under construction with concrete lining and earthen excavation slope
Corinth Tunnel Portal
Road underpass and retaining walls beside an electrical substation in a dry landscape
Aigio Tunnel Portal

Services Provided

Obermeyer, having elaborated the geotechnical and structural design of Aigion Tunnel (Excavation and temporary support, final lining, portals, C&C etc.), acted as Technical Supervisor during the Aigion Tunnel’s construction.

Obermeyer’s scope of services included specialized engineering consulting services and technical support during construction, approval of materials, quality control, progress and financial monitoring.

3,252 mTunnel Length
Approx. 800 mCombined Escape Tunnel Length
3Escape Tunnels
105 mAccess Roads

Technical Specifications

Project Scope Construction of the Aigion Railway Tunnel as part of the Corinth–Patras double-track railway line
Tunnel Configuration Bi-directional railway tunnel with a single standard-gauge track (1,435 mm)
Excavation Method New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM)
Structural Design Excavation support, permanent lining, tunnel portals and cut-and-cover structures
Permanent Retaining Structures Pile walls for excavation slopes and long-term slope stabilisation
Railway Alignment Underground bypass of the urban area of Aigion
Construction Support

We're here to help you build better.