Tunnel Structures

For all types of tunnel projects, choosing innovative, safe and cost-effective construction methods is crucial. At ILF, we have both the technical know-how and the relevant experience to help clients find the optimal tunneling solution.
With expertise in all types of tunneling methods, such as sequential excavation (NATM), TBM, and Cut & Cover, we offer tailored design and construction management services and are a reliable partner for the provision of expert guidance on all aspects of underground construction projects.

Fields of Expertise:

• Metro Tunnels
• Railway Tunnels
• Road Tunnels
• Water Tunnels, Utility Tunnels and Special Tunnel Projects

Metro Tunnels

Constructing tunnels in urban environments, often in difficult soil conditions, below groundwater level and under residential areas, poses many challenges related to construction logistics, settlement and noise and vibration protection.
Our ILF team is experienced in balancing these various, often conflicting, aspects to achieve optimal design solutions. This includes the design of inner-city tunnel projects for trams and metros as well as for light rail systems and railways, involving major stations that have been built using both cut-and-cover and underground construction methods.

Railway Tunnels

ILF excels in designing and supporting the implementation of all types of railway tunnel projects, with expertise in accommodating design speeds of up to 300 km/h. Our core competences include the construction of new railway tunnels as well as the renewal and rehabilitation of existing ones, some of which are over 100 years old. By working closely with rail tunnel operators, we ensure that operational requirements such as safety and maintainability are systematically considered in all of our design solutions.

Road Tunnels

ILF has been a key player in road tunnel projects since the 1970s, starting with the Arlberg Tunnel, Austria’s longest road tunnel. Since then, tunneling has become a central area of focus at ILF, with our expertise encompassing civil engineering, tunnel safety and tunnel equipment design.
We offer a comprehensive portfolio of services and solutions, tailored to the unique requirements of various types of road tunnel projects, from bypass tunnels and inner-city road tunnels to mountain tunnels with complex geology and high overburden.

Water Tunnels, Utility Tunnels and Special Tunnel Projects

ILF offers comprehensive design services for many different types of tunnels and caverns, for example for pumped storage hydropower plants, cable routing, water conveyance and for specialized projects such as CERN’s new particle accelerator, the Future Circular Collider (FCC).
Our collaborative approach, in which ILF tunnel specialists work together with in-house hydropower, pipeline and power transmission experts, ensures that we can provide tailor-made solutions for clients seeking designs for non-traffic tunnels.