Is it just me, or does this entrance to the Mundloch zum Gießmannschen Tunnel look like it has a story to tell? This isn’t just any hole in the ground. The Mundloch zum Gießmannschen Tunnel whispers tales of engineering ambition and the relentless pursuit of progress.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine the Dresden-Prague railway project constantly growing. This project aimed to create the best solution step by step. The Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan laid the foundation for new transportation routes. It included the new Dresden-Prague line as a priority. DB Netz AG took responsibility for the technical planning.
The Czech Republic also had its emerging phase. Studies examined if high-speed rail was necessary. The Fast Connections development program served as a conceptual basis. It helped the government decide about high-speed rail.
Within the tunnel corridor, several variants were developed. These were based on planning calculations and geological tests. They also considered environmental constraints and studies. Two options emerged, a full and partial tunnel.
The feasibility study for the sections from Dresden to Prague was approved in December 2020. It assessed the economics, technical solution and environmental impact. The design phase involved detailed planning. Costs were calculated precisely. Preliminary planning clarified the what. The next question was how. Route planning became more specific.
For approval planning, documents were prepared for the Federal Railway Authority. The EBA initiated the process. It ensured participation through objections and hearings. After weighing concerns, the EBA issued a planning approval decision. This approval is comparable to a building permit.
The new Building Act merged regional planning and approval procedures into one. This streamlined the process. The feasibility study resulted in a corridor for regional spatial planning documentation. This was approved by the regional council after a public hearing. An environmental impact assessment was prepared.
The EIA documented the environmental impact of the construction. This included the technical solution and construction organization. The Ministry of the Environment sought comments from local authorities and state bodies.
Once the building permit was issued, implementation planning began. Actual construction plans were drawn up. Details of the construction process were planned. This required complex coordination. The documents contained all information needed for construction.
From January 2024, the Transport and Energy Construction Authority started operating. DESÚ became a special authority to authorize key infrastructure projects. It issues a planning permission, replacing all necessary permits. To permit the Erzgebirgstunnel, a presidential treaty is needed to determine who issues the permit.
Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony. Material for the track bed was produced and installed. A customized construction logistics concept minimized disruption. This concept was designed in previous planning stages. After completion, inspection took place.
The section between Heidenau and Ústí nad Labem was a shared planning area. DB and Správa železnic worked together. Two main options for the Erzgebirgstunnel were developed. A full tunnel with a 200 km/h design speed and a partial tunnel with a 160/200 km/h final speed.
The railway operation study showed that a full tunnel offered optimal operational quality. A catalogue of criteria compared environment, infrastructure and economic viability. The full tunnel variant was deemed the best option.
Experts from both countries collaborated closely. Each implemented procedures in their respective countries. In December 2019, Správa železnic and DB InfraGO AG concluded the planning agreement. The joint planning area ran from Heidenau through the Erzgebirgstunnel to the Czech border.
In January 2021, the contract was awarded to a bidding consortium. A consortium became the main designer. They used BIM methodology for better transparency. So here we are at the Mundloch zum Gießmannschen Tunnel. A testament to international cooperation and engineering prowess.