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Kerak Tunnel

Far Eastern Federal District

Project completion date: 2023

Design

Construction

Construction of the longest tunnel on the Trans-Baikal Railway

926 m

tunnel length

2,342 m

of tracks

1 million m³

of processed soil

> 700

monitoring sensors

70 km

of cable

Kerak Tunnel is the longest one on the Trans-Baikal Railway. It was built by Natsproektstroy companies to replace the old one built in 1911. The start of traffic in the new tunnel was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2023.

The length of the structure is 926 metres and it is located in Skovorodinsky District, Amur Region. The tunnel was built in a seismically active zone with waterlogged soils. Modern technology and materials ensure the reliability and safety of the structure.

Tunnelling took 11 months. From the eastern portal, due to the high strength of the rock, tunnelling was made by drilling and blasting and from the western portal using a mining excavator.

An innovative track laying technique was used to reduce the dynamic impact of trains. The design of a concrete half-tie, rubber cover and vibration-damping pad ensures smooth and quiet running.

Monitoring systems were installed in the tunnel to monitor temperature, humidity, fire safety and lighting.

The commissioning of the new Kerak Tunnel increased the capacity of the Ulruchi-Kovali section of the Trans-Siberian Mainline to 153 pairs of trains per day.

Today, Natsproektstroy companies are completing the reconstruction of the old Kerak Tunnel. It will be used as a cross passage to serve the new structure.