Two section of the new Kerak tunnel on the Ulruchyi – Kovali line on the TransSiberian Railway have been linked, the contractor, Bamstroymechanizatsiya, part of 1520 Group, has reported.
The 926 meters long tunnel will be the longest tunnel of the Zabaikalsk Railway. The new tunnel is to replace the old one, which has been operated for 110 years and does not meet the current safety requirements, so trains have to slow down when passing it.
The new tunnel is scheduled to be put into operation in 2024. It will expand the capacity of the line up to 153 pairs of trains per day. It will be also cheaper to maintain than the old tunnel.