European road constructions under construction in Czech republic Highway D35 Tunnel Homole

Описание: The construction of the Homole Tunnel on the D35 highway is one of the most significant infrastructure projects currently underway in the Czech Republic. Here is a comprehensive update on its status as of late 2025.
Project Overview: D35 Homole Tunnel
The tunnel is part of the Ostrov – Vysoké Mýto section of the D35 highway, which serves as a crucial alternative to the D1 motorway, connecting Bohemia and Moravia.
Length: Approximately 525 meters.
Location: Near the town of Vysoké Mýto (Pardubice Region).
Construction Method: Milled/drilled excavation (NRTM - New Austrian Tunnelling Method).
Latest Milestones (December 2025)
The Breakthrough: On December 15, 2025, the construction team achieved the final breakthrough of the right tunnel tube. This followed over a year of intensive drilling and blasting through the Homole hill.
Material Moved: Workers have excavated roughly 89,000 m³ of rock and used 10,000 m³ of shotcrete to secure the tunnel walls.
Current Focus: While the right tube is pierced, excavation continues on the left tube. Simultaneously, crews are beginning the "secondary lining"—the final reinforced concrete shell of the tunnel.
Technical Challenges
The project has faced several difficulties that required 24/7 working shifts:
Geology: The rock quality in the area was lower than expected, with significant "overburden" issues (thin layers of soil/rock above the tunnel).
Water Management: Engineers had to deal with large inflows of groundwater during the digging process.
Sensitive Infrastructure: A portion of the tunnel passes directly beneath the existing I/17 road, requiring extremely precise monitoring to prevent surface sinking.