Kerak Tunnel

Far Eastern Federal District

Project completion date: 2023

Design

Construction

The Kerak Tunnel, now the longest on the Trans-Baikal Railway, was built by GC NPS to replace the original structure built in 1911. It was officially opened by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2023.

926 m

tunnel length

2,342 m

of new track

1 million m³

of processed soil

> 700

monitoring sensors

70 km

of cable

Located in Skovorodinsky District, Amur Region, this 926-meter tunnel was built in seismically active, waterlogged terrain. Advanced materials and construction techniques were used to ensure its structural integrity and long-term safety.

Tunneling took 11 months, utilizing drilling and blasting methods on the eastern portal's hard rock formations, and mountain excavators at the western portal. The tunnel features an innovative track system with concrete half-ties, rubber dampers, and vibration-absorbing pads, ensuring smooth and quiet operation.

Monitoring systems track temperature, lighting, fire risks, and humidity. Kerak Tunnel's operational launch increased capacity on the Ulruchiya-Kovali section to 153 train pairs daily. GC NPS is currently rehabilitating the historic 1911 tunnel for use as a maintenance access route.