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Narrator: In central europe,
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00:00:06,007 --> 00:00:08,340
This elite team of engineers
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00:00:08,342 --> 00:00:11,310
Is embarking
on an epic endeavor.
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00:00:11,312 --> 00:00:14,513
You're going where no one
has ever been before.
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00:00:14,515 --> 00:00:18,617
♪
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00:00:18,619 --> 00:00:19,885
Narrator:
They are attempting to build
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The longest underground railway
in the world,
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00:00:23,591 --> 00:00:25,357
Running right through the heart
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Of the mighty
alps mountain range.
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That's it! No, no, no!
[ speaks indistinctly ]
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00:00:36,003 --> 00:00:37,770
Narrator:
To construct this colossus,
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00:00:37,772 --> 00:00:40,439
The team must battle
intense heat...
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00:00:44,478 --> 00:00:49,348
...Massive machines,
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00:00:49,350 --> 00:00:51,550
And dangerous explosives.
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00:00:51,552 --> 00:00:55,721
[ speaks foreign language ]
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Narrator:
This remarkable structure ranks
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In a league of ambitious
new engineering wonders
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00:01:01,028 --> 00:01:05,230
That are bigger, faster, taller,
and more advanced
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Than anything
ever constructed before.
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This is the inside story of
the extraordinary challenge
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Of building these giants.
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♪
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-- Captions by vitac --
www.Vitac.Com
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Captions paid for by
discovery communications
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♪
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The alps, europe's highest
mountain range,
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Soars nearly three miles high.
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It forms a formidable
natural barrier
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Between Italy in the south
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And the rest of europe
in the north.
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The main route through
is this steep winding link
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Called the brenner pass.
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♪
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The brenner pass crosses
the border
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Between Italy and austria.
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It is one of the most crucial
transport links in europe.
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00:02:00,888 --> 00:02:02,888
The link is made up of a highway
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Carrying cars and heavy trucks
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00:02:06,193 --> 00:02:10,829
And a railway carrying
both passengers and freight.
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00:02:10,831 --> 00:02:14,700
The railway is more than
150 years old
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And winds slowly around
perilously steep gradients.
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♪
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The highway is crammed with
traffic and regularly closed
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Due to its atrocious weather,
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But the last 20 years,
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Engineers have been working
on a radical solution
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For this transportation
challenge.
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It's called
the brenner base tunnel
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And is a brand-new rail link
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That will carry both freight
and passengers.
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This will be no
ordinary railway.
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It will run through a network
of tunnels
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That cut right through
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The rugged geography
of the alps.
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This is the network of tunnels
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They must build
to complete the railway.
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The tunnels will carve a 34-mile
direct line from innsbruck
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In austria
to fortezza in Italy.
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They will run at depths close
to 6,000 feet
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Beneath the mighty alps.
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Two huge 26-foot-diameter
tunnels each lined
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With 12-inch-thick
concrete slabs
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Run side by side for north
and southbound trains.
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Cross tunnels every
1,090 feet connect them
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While the smaller
service tunnel runs below.
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Three cavernous underground
refuges
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Provide smoke-proof
escape routes to safety
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In case a fire breaks out.
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Over 200 trains an hour
will hurtle through the tunnel
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At speeds of up to
155 miles per hour,
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Slashing journey times through
the alps by 55 minutes.
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When complete, it will become
the longest rail tunnel
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In the world.
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Digging tunnels
through the heart
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Of the tallest mountain range
in europe
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Is a formidable challenge.
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It rests on the shoulders
of project supervisor giorgio
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00:04:23,964 --> 00:04:27,099
To keep this
massive project on track.
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This is the biggest project
in europe.
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The challenges are very high.
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We have to face
a very hard rock.
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It's gonna be the longest
tunnel in the world,
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So the skills will be
pushed to the limit.
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Narrator:
This is how they'll do it.
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The tunnel is too long
to simply start at one end
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And finish at the other,
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So engineers will divide
it up into sections.
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First, they must dig
three access tunnels
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On each side of the alps
in both austria and Italy.
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These shafts get crews down
to the main tunnel route
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00:05:05,239 --> 00:05:08,974
Through several different
access points along the way.
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From here, they create smaller
exploratory tunnels
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To understand
the rock conditions
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Surrounding the main tunnel.
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Next, huge custom-built
tunneling machines
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Bore the majority
of the two main tunnels.
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Workers use explosives
to excavate the cross tunnels
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And emergency stops.
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Digging several sections
of the tunnel
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00:05:32,733 --> 00:05:36,134
At once cuts the overall
build time by half
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Compared to digging
a long tunnel in one go,
102
00:05:39,807 --> 00:05:42,774
But they have to get their
measurements millimeter accurate
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To make sure
all the tunnel sections meet up.
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[ explosion ]
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[ cheering ]
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Narrator:
Excavation began in 2007.
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It took workers over 10 years
just to prepare the site
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00:06:00,094 --> 00:06:02,327
And dig the smaller
preliminary tunnels
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00:06:02,329 --> 00:06:05,964
Down to the main tunnel route,
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00:06:05,966 --> 00:06:08,300
And that was the easy part.
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00:06:08,302 --> 00:06:12,738
Now the project enters
its most ambitious stage.
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00:06:12,740 --> 00:06:15,307
On the austrian side,
engineers are gearing up
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To excavate
the exploratory tunnels
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South towards the border.
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00:06:21,515 --> 00:06:24,449
Meanwhile, in Italy,
they're getting ready to start
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Digging the two main
railway tunnels.
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00:06:28,389 --> 00:06:31,056
To construct
the subterranean passages,
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Workers have had to dig out two
huge caverns deep underground.
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♪
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These will house a pair
of mountain-eating monsters,
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Two huge tunnel boring machines,
called tbms,
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00:06:47,374 --> 00:06:51,877
That will excavate the rock.
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00:06:51,879 --> 00:06:54,246
Project lead giorgio's
first challenge
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Is to transport the pieces
of these colossal machines
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From the factory where they're
being fabricated in germany
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00:07:00,487 --> 00:07:03,221
To his underground labyrinth
in Italy
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00:07:03,223 --> 00:07:05,023
Where they will be assembled.
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00:07:05,025 --> 00:07:08,560
I am supposed to know this place
like the back of my hand.
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00:07:08,562 --> 00:07:10,829
Problem is that logistics
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00:07:10,831 --> 00:07:13,198
And everything change
on a daily basis,
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00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:15,167
So you know it like
the back of your hand,
132
00:07:15,169 --> 00:07:19,704
But it's a different hand
every day. [ chuckles ]
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00:07:19,706 --> 00:07:24,242
Narrator: Each tunnel boring
machine is 656 feet long,
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00:07:24,244 --> 00:07:28,113
Weighs a colossal 3,031 tons
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00:07:28,115 --> 00:07:30,015
And is powered by a huge
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00:07:30,017 --> 00:07:33,985
5,700-horsepower engine.
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00:07:33,987 --> 00:07:37,622
At the front of each machine,
a massive 35-foot-wide cutter
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Head claws through the rock.
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00:07:40,928 --> 00:07:44,396
Behind, a thick metal skin
shields a conveyor belt
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00:07:44,398 --> 00:07:47,833
That clears the debris.
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00:07:47,835 --> 00:07:50,535
Further back,
huge hydraulic pistons
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00:07:50,537 --> 00:07:52,871
Grip the rock side walls
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00:07:52,873 --> 00:07:58,376
And drive the cutting head
forward with a force of 35 tons.
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00:07:58,378 --> 00:08:03,648
Boring stops only to reposition
the grippers every 5 1/2 feet.
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00:08:03,650 --> 00:08:07,152
Finally, a robotic arm
installs concrete segments
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00:08:07,154 --> 00:08:10,055
To seal the tunnel
and form its walls.
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00:08:10,057 --> 00:08:12,924
[ machine whirring ]
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00:08:12,926 --> 00:08:15,494
These digging demons
can punch through up
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00:08:15,496 --> 00:08:19,598
To 100 feet of solid rock
every single day.
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00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:23,068
♪
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00:08:23,070 --> 00:08:26,471
It's winter time and peak
tourist season in the alps.
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♪
153
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3,000 feet below,
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00:08:31,111 --> 00:08:35,580
Giorgio's work site
is overcrowded.
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00:08:35,582 --> 00:08:40,352
We have right now about
700 workers on the job,
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00:08:40,354 --> 00:08:42,020
And each one is doing a job,
157
00:08:42,022 --> 00:08:45,557
But it's only teamwork
that pays off,
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00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:46,925
And you'll get mad at everyone,
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00:08:46,927 --> 00:08:48,460
But you're going
to need everyone.
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00:08:48,462 --> 00:08:51,496
[ speaking foreign language ]
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00:08:59,039 --> 00:09:02,574
These people have a problem
with geometry,
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00:09:02,576 --> 00:09:06,778
Which is not
the best thing down here.
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00:09:06,780 --> 00:09:08,179
Narrator:
The tunnel boring machines
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Are too big to transport
165
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From germany to giorgio's site
in one piece,
166
00:09:14,488 --> 00:09:19,724
So engineers must ship them in
half a million smaller pieces.
167
00:09:19,726 --> 00:09:23,328
For each machine, reassembling
all the pieces on site
168
00:09:23,330 --> 00:09:27,933
Takes giorgio's team
four months.
169
00:09:27,935 --> 00:09:31,102
Positioning the cutter head
at the front of the machine
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00:09:31,104 --> 00:09:33,905
Is the hardest part.
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00:09:33,907 --> 00:09:37,409
These are the cutters
that penetrate the rock.
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The cutter head rotates.
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00:09:39,680 --> 00:09:41,179
Usually normal condition,
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00:09:41,181 --> 00:09:44,082
It'll go three
or four rounds per minute.
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00:09:44,084 --> 00:09:47,319
So you're running 7 days a week,
24 hours a day,
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00:09:47,321 --> 00:09:50,822
And this machine
that is noisy, vibrates,
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00:09:50,824 --> 00:09:53,458
It sort of becomes
of a life companion
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For the length
of the excavation.
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00:09:56,997 --> 00:10:00,599
Narrator: Lifting up the 206-ton
cutting head to its final
180
00:10:00,601 --> 00:10:04,936
Upright position
is no simple task.
181
00:10:04,938 --> 00:10:07,505
It needs to fit into a special
supporting bearing
182
00:10:07,507 --> 00:10:12,744
Perfectly without damaging
the intricate cutting mechanism.
183
00:10:12,746 --> 00:10:16,615
In charge of the megaton lift
is supervisor rui.
184
00:10:34,301 --> 00:10:35,367
So...
185
00:10:43,810 --> 00:10:45,310
Narrator:
A broken cutter head
186
00:10:45,312 --> 00:10:47,812
Would set
the team back by months
187
00:10:47,814 --> 00:10:50,482
And millions of dollars.
188
00:10:50,484 --> 00:10:53,218
Failure isn't an option.
189
00:10:53,220 --> 00:10:56,087
♪
190
00:11:03,063 --> 00:11:08,299
♪
191
00:11:08,301 --> 00:11:10,301
Narrator:
High in the italian alps,
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00:11:10,303 --> 00:11:12,003
A team of engineers
193
00:11:12,005 --> 00:11:16,541
Is building the longest
railway tunnel in the world.
194
00:11:16,543 --> 00:11:19,210
Over the last four weeks,
they've been painstakingly
195
00:11:19,212 --> 00:11:24,382
Constructing one of two
huge tunnel boring machines.
196
00:11:24,384 --> 00:11:28,153
Today, supervisor rui
and his team of engineers
197
00:11:28,155 --> 00:11:33,258
Are lifting the 206-ton
cutting head into place.
198
00:11:33,260 --> 00:11:35,760
The team's first job
is to attach the head
199
00:11:35,762 --> 00:11:37,962
To two giant cranes
200
00:11:37,964 --> 00:11:41,032
And slowly start lifting it
to a vertical position.
201
00:11:54,581 --> 00:11:57,315
Workers must constantly move
the crane forward
202
00:11:57,317 --> 00:12:00,218
To keep it directly
above the head.
203
00:12:00,220 --> 00:12:01,720
If they get it wrong,
204
00:12:01,722 --> 00:12:04,322
The massive disk
could swing uncontrollably.
205
00:12:04,324 --> 00:12:07,592
♪
206
00:12:07,594 --> 00:12:10,962
It takes four hours
of meticulous work
207
00:12:10,964 --> 00:12:13,965
To haul the head vertical.
208
00:12:13,967 --> 00:12:18,336
Now rui's team must carefully
pull the cutter head back
209
00:12:18,338 --> 00:12:20,405
To slot it
into the front of the machine.
210
00:12:20,407 --> 00:12:25,143
♪
211
00:12:25,145 --> 00:12:27,212
They move the head
inch by inch
212
00:12:27,214 --> 00:12:29,681
To line it up perfectly.
213
00:12:29,683 --> 00:12:32,584
♪
214
00:12:47,734 --> 00:12:51,069
Rui climbs inside
the tunneling machine
215
00:12:51,071 --> 00:12:53,104
To check that
the head aligns properly.
216
00:12:53,106 --> 00:12:54,539
Okay.
217
00:13:03,984 --> 00:13:07,418
Narrator: There isn't enough
space here to use power tools.
218
00:13:07,420 --> 00:13:08,987
[ speaks foreign language ]
219
00:13:08,989 --> 00:13:13,024
Narrator: So workers must bolt
the head into position by hand.
220
00:13:16,396 --> 00:13:19,931
Finally, after 36 hours
of grueling work,
221
00:13:19,933 --> 00:13:23,468
Rui's team safely secures
the cutter head.
222
00:13:33,780 --> 00:13:36,981
Teams work 24/7
for the next three months
223
00:13:36,983 --> 00:13:39,083
Assembling the half
a million parts
224
00:13:39,085 --> 00:13:42,487
Of this mammoth
digging machine.
225
00:13:42,489 --> 00:13:44,389
As they complete
every new section,
226
00:13:44,391 --> 00:13:46,891
They push the cutter head
further down the cavern
227
00:13:46,893 --> 00:13:49,194
Towards the rock face.
228
00:13:49,196 --> 00:13:53,798
They have named this giant
rock-eating machine flavia.
229
00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:56,100
It's the first of the two
tunneling machines
230
00:13:56,102 --> 00:13:59,804
That will attempt to eat
through the 8.6 miles of rock
231
00:13:59,806 --> 00:14:04,175
That stands between here
and the austrian border.
232
00:14:04,177 --> 00:14:07,745
Flavia costs a staggering
$22 million,
233
00:14:07,747 --> 00:14:11,082
But once tunneling,
she'll be worth every penny.
234
00:14:11,084 --> 00:14:14,619
A tbm like this is essential
to the project.
235
00:14:14,621 --> 00:14:18,623
A tbm can go to
30 meters a day.
236
00:14:18,625 --> 00:14:20,325
With conventional excavation,
237
00:14:20,327 --> 00:14:22,260
It would take us
a very, very long time.
238
00:14:22,262 --> 00:14:29,234
♪
239
00:14:29,236 --> 00:14:33,071
It's may, and flavia
is completely assembled.
240
00:14:33,073 --> 00:14:35,440
♪
241
00:14:35,442 --> 00:14:37,842
Today is a critical day.
242
00:14:37,844 --> 00:14:40,211
Engineers are going to fire
up the machine
243
00:14:40,213 --> 00:14:45,116
For the very first time
to start digging.
244
00:14:45,118 --> 00:14:48,319
Project lead mario ensures
engineers double-check
245
00:14:48,321 --> 00:14:50,989
That every system
is working perfectly
246
00:14:50,991 --> 00:14:52,857
Before he pushes
the start button.
247
00:14:52,859 --> 00:14:57,262
[ speaking foreign language ]
248
00:15:04,237 --> 00:15:06,671
Narrator:
Time for the big decision.
249
00:15:06,673 --> 00:15:08,406
Now it's okay.
250
00:15:08,408 --> 00:15:10,675
Narrator: Tunneling is go.
251
00:15:10,677 --> 00:15:13,111
This is the crucial moment
mario and his team
252
00:15:13,113 --> 00:15:15,813
Have been working towards
for one year.
253
00:15:20,987 --> 00:15:23,021
So...
254
00:15:26,126 --> 00:15:31,095
♪
255
00:15:31,097 --> 00:15:33,564
Narrator: The machine
spins into action
256
00:15:33,566 --> 00:15:37,769
And begins to burrow
through the solid mountain rock.
257
00:15:50,116 --> 00:15:52,917
With the machine finally
digging forward,
258
00:15:52,919 --> 00:15:57,221
Lead engineer giac and his team
face the next big challenge.
259
00:15:57,223 --> 00:16:00,058
[ speaking foreign language ]
260
00:16:00,060 --> 00:16:02,527
Narrator: They must install
the huge concrete rings
261
00:16:02,529 --> 00:16:04,696
That will form
the new tunnel walls
262
00:16:04,698 --> 00:16:07,465
Directly behind
the cutter head.
263
00:16:24,718 --> 00:16:32,056
♪
264
00:16:32,058 --> 00:16:35,026
As the machine grinds its way
through the alps,
265
00:16:35,028 --> 00:16:38,463
It leaves bare
granite walls behind it.
266
00:16:38,465 --> 00:16:40,832
There's a risk that any loose
rock could fall
267
00:16:40,834 --> 00:16:43,067
And crush machinery.
268
00:16:43,069 --> 00:16:45,169
The concrete rings,
called tubbing,
269
00:16:45,171 --> 00:16:47,338
Are designed to prevent this,
270
00:16:47,340 --> 00:16:50,408
But installing these
heavy unwieldy slabs of concrete
271
00:16:50,410 --> 00:16:55,413
Precisely is a huge
engineering challenge.
272
00:16:55,415 --> 00:16:57,015
This is how they plan to do it.
273
00:16:57,017 --> 00:17:00,485
♪
274
00:17:00,487 --> 00:17:03,287
First,
workers use a robotic arm
275
00:17:03,289 --> 00:17:07,792
To slide the four-ton sections
of tubbing into place.
276
00:17:07,794 --> 00:17:11,295
Each piece contains
two thick waterproof membranes
277
00:17:11,297 --> 00:17:13,931
And is strong enough
to protect against rock falls.
278
00:17:13,933 --> 00:17:17,668
♪
279
00:17:17,670 --> 00:17:19,037
The sections sit inside
280
00:17:19,039 --> 00:17:21,406
The boring machine's
metal shield.
281
00:17:21,408 --> 00:17:25,777
♪
282
00:17:25,779 --> 00:17:29,047
Once the ring is complete,
the shield moves forward,
283
00:17:29,049 --> 00:17:30,915
And the workers pump
fine gravel
284
00:17:30,917 --> 00:17:35,420
Between the tubbing
and the rock.
285
00:17:35,422 --> 00:17:38,489
This helps water drain
down and out at the base.
286
00:17:38,491 --> 00:17:41,859
♪
287
00:17:41,861 --> 00:17:44,095
Finally, they install power,
288
00:17:44,097 --> 00:17:47,698
Signal systems, and rails.
289
00:17:47,700 --> 00:17:49,467
The end result --
290
00:17:49,469 --> 00:17:52,303
A superstrong,
watertight railway tunnel
291
00:17:52,305 --> 00:17:56,374
That should last for 200 years.
292
00:18:03,516 --> 00:18:05,149
Narrator:
Giac and his team must lay
293
00:18:05,151 --> 00:18:07,852
The first set of rings
perfectly
294
00:18:07,854 --> 00:18:09,720
Because getting this step wrong
295
00:18:09,722 --> 00:18:15,059
Could cause serious structural
problems for the whole tunnel.
296
00:18:15,061 --> 00:18:17,829
♪
297
00:18:24,804 --> 00:18:29,107
♪
298
00:18:29,109 --> 00:18:32,243
Narrator: On the italian side
of the brenner base tunnel,
299
00:18:32,245 --> 00:18:34,479
Main engineer giac
and his team
300
00:18:34,481 --> 00:18:39,117
Are installing
a crucial section of tubbing.
301
00:18:50,964 --> 00:18:53,564
Workers use
a remote-control unit
302
00:18:53,566 --> 00:18:57,268
To carefully lift
each piece of concrete tubbing.
303
00:18:57,270 --> 00:18:59,871
Precision here is key.
304
00:18:59,873 --> 00:19:01,606
[ speaking foreign language ]
305
00:19:10,016 --> 00:19:14,285
Once a piece of tubbing is
in place, they cannot remove it.
306
00:19:14,287 --> 00:19:18,189
This is high-pressure,
highly skilled work.
307
00:19:24,097 --> 00:19:26,197
As they work their way
around the ring,
308
00:19:26,199 --> 00:19:29,600
They must constantly check that
they align each piece properly.
309
00:19:29,602 --> 00:19:32,236
No, no, no, no, no!
[ speaks foreign language ]
310
00:19:32,238 --> 00:19:34,238
Narrator: It takes just
10 minutes to lock
311
00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:37,542
All seven sections
of each ring into place.
312
00:19:37,544 --> 00:19:39,911
The last piece is critical.
313
00:19:45,118 --> 00:19:47,985
Only if the key fits will
they know for sure
314
00:19:47,987 --> 00:19:50,121
That they have built
this ring correctly...
315
00:19:50,123 --> 00:19:51,355
Man:
[ speaks foreign language ]
316
00:19:51,357 --> 00:19:53,591
Narrator: ...And can continue
to tunnel forward.
317
00:19:53,593 --> 00:19:56,460
[ speaking foreign language ]
318
00:20:15,248 --> 00:20:20,751
Narrator: One ring down,
7,999 to go.
319
00:20:20,753 --> 00:20:23,054
It's a relentless battle
for giac's team
320
00:20:23,056 --> 00:20:25,356
To supply enough tubbing
to build the rings
321
00:20:25,358 --> 00:20:28,326
As the tunneling machine
forges forward.
322
00:20:28,328 --> 00:20:32,763
If we don't have a ring ready
and installed for the tbm
323
00:20:32,765 --> 00:20:35,299
To advance and get ready
for the next excavation,
324
00:20:35,301 --> 00:20:40,404
There's no way of advancing,
so the supply line is critical.
325
00:20:40,406 --> 00:20:43,007
Narrator: Engineers have come up
with an ingenious solution
326
00:20:43,009 --> 00:20:46,544
To keeping this machine
fed with tubbing.
327
00:20:46,546 --> 00:20:51,215
They make the tubbing
from the excavated rock itself.
328
00:20:51,217 --> 00:20:53,884
The digging machines
excavate around 2,000 tons
329
00:20:53,886 --> 00:20:57,121
Of debris every day.
330
00:20:57,123 --> 00:20:59,290
A series of conveyor belts
transports
331
00:20:59,292 --> 00:21:02,193
The 8.6 miles
out of the tunnel
332
00:21:02,195 --> 00:21:05,296
To this custom-built factory.
333
00:21:05,298 --> 00:21:07,865
Here workers recycle the rock
334
00:21:07,867 --> 00:21:11,269
And transform it
into the ring segments.
335
00:21:16,976 --> 00:21:20,478
♪
336
00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,080
Carlo is the head of
the 190-strong
337
00:21:23,082 --> 00:21:26,317
Tubbing-factory team.
338
00:21:26,319 --> 00:21:30,354
They mix broken rock from
the tunnels with sand and cement
339
00:21:30,356 --> 00:21:33,891
To give a superstrong
blend of concrete.
340
00:21:35,628 --> 00:21:39,330
Next, they pour the mix
into precision-built molds
341
00:21:39,332 --> 00:21:43,734
And leave it to set
at 113 degrees fahrenheit.
342
00:22:00,086 --> 00:22:03,187
To keep up with demand,
carlo has to produce
343
00:22:03,189 --> 00:22:06,791
42 pieces of tubbing
every single day.
344
00:22:17,770 --> 00:22:22,673
A train transports the completed
pieces of tubbing 8.6 miles
345
00:22:22,675 --> 00:22:26,744
Down to giac's team
at the tunnel face.
346
00:22:26,746 --> 00:22:30,915
[ speaking foreign language ]
347
00:22:30,917 --> 00:22:32,483
Narrator:
The journey gets longer
348
00:22:32,485 --> 00:22:34,852
As the tunnel grows deeper
into the alps,
349
00:22:34,854 --> 00:22:37,355
And because
they move so slowly,
350
00:22:37,357 --> 00:22:39,390
Trains must leave
every single hour,
351
00:22:39,392 --> 00:22:42,226
24 hours a day,
7 days a week
352
00:22:42,228 --> 00:22:45,196
To keep pace
with the digging machines.
353
00:22:45,198 --> 00:22:46,864
Once the tubbing arrives,
354
00:22:46,866 --> 00:22:50,101
Giac's team races to fit
in place in the tunnel wall.
355
00:22:50,103 --> 00:22:53,003
♪
356
00:22:53,005 --> 00:22:55,706
Each piece of tubbing
should hold firm
357
00:22:55,708 --> 00:22:57,675
For the next 200 years.
358
00:22:57,677 --> 00:23:02,680
♪
359
00:23:02,682 --> 00:23:05,850
At the opposite end of
the railway tunnel in austria,
360
00:23:05,852 --> 00:23:09,987
Engineers are tackling
a very different challenge.
361
00:23:09,989 --> 00:23:12,757
One of the biggest problems
tunnel engineers face
362
00:23:12,759 --> 00:23:15,326
Is determining what rock
lies directly ahead
363
00:23:15,328 --> 00:23:16,627
Of the tunneling machine.
364
00:23:16,629 --> 00:23:19,864
When you are dealing
with a base tunnel,
365
00:23:19,866 --> 00:23:23,434
You're dealing with some degree
of unknown geology.
366
00:23:23,436 --> 00:23:25,636
It is vital to have
a pilot tunnel.
367
00:23:25,638 --> 00:23:26,670
Narrator:
The bigger digging machines,
368
00:23:26,672 --> 00:23:28,005
Such as flavia,
369
00:23:28,007 --> 00:23:31,876
Follow a smaller 16-foot-wide
exploratory tunnel
370
00:23:31,878 --> 00:23:36,013
That runs underneath and in
between the two main tunnels.
371
00:23:36,015 --> 00:23:38,549
The italian-bound
exploratory tunnel
372
00:23:38,551 --> 00:23:42,453
Is 13 miles
into its 18-mile journey.
373
00:23:42,455 --> 00:23:45,089
It's being drilled by this
special digging machine
374
00:23:45,091 --> 00:23:48,159
That is open
rather than closed.
375
00:23:48,161 --> 00:23:51,796
This allows the team to see
and inspect the bare rock.
376
00:23:51,798 --> 00:23:54,064
Our tbm is pretty much naked,
you know?
377
00:23:54,066 --> 00:23:55,566
You can see all the parts.
378
00:23:55,568 --> 00:23:57,301
Narrator:
Being exposed to the bare rock
379
00:23:57,303 --> 00:24:00,004
Means it's tough work
for foreman babyuk
380
00:24:00,006 --> 00:24:02,473
And his team of specialists.
381
00:24:07,079 --> 00:24:09,747
[ wrench thuds ]
382
00:24:09,749 --> 00:24:11,682
Narrator: But the team's efforts
will pay off
383
00:24:11,684 --> 00:24:14,151
When the main tunnels catch up.
384
00:24:30,269 --> 00:24:33,737
♪
385
00:24:33,739 --> 00:24:36,006
It's now early summer.
386
00:24:36,008 --> 00:24:38,042
At the italian entrance
to the tunnel,
387
00:24:38,044 --> 00:24:40,945
The first of the two large
tunnel-boring machines
388
00:24:40,947 --> 00:24:45,883
Grinds steadily
towards the austrian border.
389
00:24:45,885 --> 00:24:48,152
Workers here are also racing
to assemble
390
00:24:48,154 --> 00:24:49,954
The second digging machine.
391
00:24:49,956 --> 00:24:53,591
♪
392
00:24:53,593 --> 00:24:57,428
But just south of the main site,
a short section of tunnel
393
00:24:57,430 --> 00:25:00,698
Means engineers can't use
their lengthy tbms.
394
00:25:00,700 --> 00:25:04,168
♪
395
00:25:04,170 --> 00:25:08,305
They have no option
but to use powerful explosives.
396
00:25:08,307 --> 00:25:12,776
[ explosion ]
397
00:25:12,778 --> 00:25:15,579
♪
398
00:25:22,555 --> 00:25:25,523
♪
399
00:25:25,525 --> 00:25:27,258
Narrator: In central europe,
400
00:25:27,260 --> 00:25:29,960
Engineers are digging
the longest railway tunnel
401
00:25:29,962 --> 00:25:33,998
In the world through the alps
between Italy and austria.
402
00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:37,034
[ speaks foreign language ]
403
00:25:37,036 --> 00:25:39,103
Narrator: On the italian side
of the project,
404
00:25:39,105 --> 00:25:41,205
Part of the main tunnel
is too short
405
00:25:41,207 --> 00:25:44,909
To justify
using a huge boring machine,
406
00:25:44,911 --> 00:25:48,012
So geologist stefano
and his team of specialists
407
00:25:48,014 --> 00:25:53,183
Have to use an alternative --
powerful explosives.
408
00:25:53,185 --> 00:25:56,887
[ speaking foreign language ]
409
00:26:09,635 --> 00:26:11,135
Narrator:
When a section of tunnel
410
00:26:11,137 --> 00:26:15,005
Is too small to use a tbm,
411
00:26:15,007 --> 00:26:19,243
The team uses
explosives instead.
412
00:26:19,245 --> 00:26:22,513
They pack
880 pounds of dynamite
413
00:26:22,515 --> 00:26:24,915
Into over 100
precision-bored holes
414
00:26:24,917 --> 00:26:27,585
In the tunnel face by hand.
415
00:26:27,587 --> 00:26:29,153
[ explosion ]
416
00:26:29,155 --> 00:26:33,591
They detonate them in
a carefully controlled pattern.
417
00:26:33,593 --> 00:26:35,993
This removes the rock
they want gone
418
00:26:35,995 --> 00:26:39,463
While leaving
the tunnel walls intact.
419
00:26:39,465 --> 00:26:42,132
Finally, they spray
on quick-drying concrete
420
00:26:42,134 --> 00:26:44,768
To stabilize the tunnel.
421
00:26:44,770 --> 00:26:48,005
By triggering up to two blasts
every 24 hours,
422
00:26:48,007 --> 00:26:51,842
They can dig 32 feet
of new tunnel every single day.
423
00:26:51,844 --> 00:26:54,578
♪
424
00:26:54,580 --> 00:26:58,949
First, engineers use this huge
laser-guided drilling machine
425
00:26:58,951 --> 00:27:01,518
To create the holes
the explosives will sit in.
426
00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:05,623
♪
427
00:27:11,664 --> 00:27:19,837
♪
428
00:27:19,839 --> 00:27:23,073
They have to drill each hole
with millimeter precision
429
00:27:23,075 --> 00:27:25,943
To create the perfect blast.
430
00:27:25,945 --> 00:27:27,344
If they get it wrong,
431
00:27:27,346 --> 00:27:30,114
The rock won't break away
from the face properly,
432
00:27:30,116 --> 00:27:33,317
Exposing the team
to dangerous overhangs.
433
00:27:48,801 --> 00:27:51,435
Once jumbo is finished
drilling the holes,
434
00:27:51,437 --> 00:27:53,704
It's time to bring
in the explosives.
435
00:27:53,706 --> 00:27:58,809
♪
436
00:27:58,811 --> 00:28:01,545
Demolition expert carmelo
has been blowing things up
437
00:28:01,547 --> 00:28:04,782
For a living
for over 20 years.
438
00:28:04,784 --> 00:28:07,785
He's responsible for
the 880 pounds of dynamite
439
00:28:07,787 --> 00:28:11,221
Used in today's blast.
440
00:28:11,223 --> 00:28:13,223
Dealing with
this much explosives
441
00:28:13,225 --> 00:28:15,592
Requires nerves of steel.
442
00:28:25,604 --> 00:28:30,974
♪
443
00:28:30,976 --> 00:28:33,677
Carmelo and his team
carefully pack the explosives
444
00:28:33,679 --> 00:28:37,981
Into the holes
drilled by jumbo.
445
00:28:37,983 --> 00:28:42,052
♪
446
00:28:42,054 --> 00:28:44,855
They will set off each charge
with a millisecond delay
447
00:28:44,857 --> 00:28:46,657
From the one next to it.
448
00:28:46,659 --> 00:28:49,560
This should break the rock
into small chunks
449
00:28:49,562 --> 00:28:53,297
Rather than big
unwieldy slabs.
450
00:28:53,299 --> 00:28:57,167
Carmelo himself
connects the fuse.
451
00:28:57,169 --> 00:29:00,838
[ indistinct conversations ]
452
00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:06,176
♪
453
00:29:06,178 --> 00:29:07,711
Narrator: With the charges set,
454
00:29:07,713 --> 00:29:10,147
The team retreats
to a safe position
455
00:29:10,149 --> 00:29:14,651
And waits for the final signal
that they are clear to blast.
456
00:29:14,653 --> 00:29:17,354
[ speaking foreign language ]
457
00:29:17,356 --> 00:29:24,495
[ explosion ]
458
00:29:24,497 --> 00:29:27,798
♪
459
00:29:32,605 --> 00:29:35,239
Narrator: Stefano must check
the condition of the rock face
460
00:29:35,241 --> 00:29:38,275
Before any further
blasting can be done.
461
00:29:38,277 --> 00:29:41,411
He hunts for potentially
dangerous cracks.
462
00:29:56,862 --> 00:29:59,963
Stefano needs to get close to
the freshly exposed rock face
463
00:29:59,965 --> 00:30:03,567
To make his assessment.
464
00:30:03,569 --> 00:30:07,271
There's a high risk
of falling rock here.
465
00:30:21,487 --> 00:30:26,056
All work is suspended while
stefano assesses the rock face.
466
00:30:47,847 --> 00:30:50,080
Stefano gives the all clear.
467
00:30:50,082 --> 00:30:53,483
[ speaks foreign language ]
468
00:30:53,485 --> 00:30:56,353
Narrator: Next, the team uses
diggers and dump trucks
469
00:30:56,355 --> 00:30:59,623
To remove the 400 tons
of broken rock
470
00:30:59,625 --> 00:31:02,459
And take it to be recycled
into tubbing rings.
471
00:31:02,461 --> 00:31:06,263
♪
472
00:31:06,265 --> 00:31:12,035
It takes four hours to
completely clear the tunnel.
473
00:31:12,037 --> 00:31:15,372
Finally, they spray
on quick-drying concrete
474
00:31:15,374 --> 00:31:18,942
Called shotcrete
to stabilize the tunnel walls
475
00:31:18,944 --> 00:31:22,346
Until a thicker concrete wall
is installed,
476
00:31:22,348 --> 00:31:26,383
16 feet of new tunnel
in just 16 hours.
477
00:31:26,385 --> 00:31:29,686
For the blast team,
it's a good day's work.
478
00:31:29,688 --> 00:31:32,756
♪
479
00:31:32,758 --> 00:31:35,926
12 years into this
titanic tunneling mission,
480
00:31:35,928 --> 00:31:38,996
The teams on both the italian
and austrian sides
481
00:31:38,998 --> 00:31:41,632
Are making good progress.
482
00:31:41,634 --> 00:31:45,269
The two won't meet in the middle
for another two years,
483
00:31:45,271 --> 00:31:47,304
But making sure they line
up perfectly
484
00:31:47,306 --> 00:31:51,341
When they do
is a huge challenge.
485
00:31:51,343 --> 00:31:52,910
On a tunnel this long,
486
00:31:52,912 --> 00:31:57,281
The slightest wrong turn
can have huge consequences.
487
00:31:57,283 --> 00:31:59,116
When you're tunneling
through a mountain,
488
00:31:59,118 --> 00:32:01,184
There's no external line
of sight
489
00:32:01,186 --> 00:32:03,620
To check you're going
in the right direction.
490
00:32:03,622 --> 00:32:05,756
You're tunneling in the dark.
491
00:32:05,758 --> 00:32:10,294
♪
492
00:32:17,269 --> 00:32:26,209
♪
493
00:32:26,211 --> 00:32:29,613
Narrator: In central europe on
the austrian side of the alps,
494
00:32:29,615 --> 00:32:33,016
Tunnel surveyor patrick young
is in charge of making sure
495
00:32:33,018 --> 00:32:36,286
The exploratory tunnel
stays on course.
496
00:32:36,288 --> 00:32:39,423
It's a huge responsibility.
497
00:32:39,425 --> 00:32:41,291
Young:
The drilling machine is a jet.
498
00:32:41,293 --> 00:32:43,527
The pilot is the driver,
but we're the navigator.
499
00:32:43,529 --> 00:32:45,862
We're telling him where to go,
500
00:32:45,864 --> 00:32:48,065
Which way,
left, right, up, down.
501
00:32:48,067 --> 00:32:50,300
We're controlling the work,
502
00:32:50,302 --> 00:32:54,438
Making sure it's all moving
in the right direction.
503
00:32:54,440 --> 00:32:57,674
Narrator:
This is how he does it.
504
00:32:57,676 --> 00:33:00,477
First,
engineers use satellite gps
505
00:33:00,479 --> 00:33:04,815
To map the mountain
down to 1/4-inch accuracy,
506
00:33:04,817 --> 00:33:08,085
Creating reference
points on the surface
507
00:33:08,087 --> 00:33:13,190
And precisely plotting
the route of the tunnel,
508
00:33:13,192 --> 00:33:17,361
But deep underground,
they can't use gps.
509
00:33:17,363 --> 00:33:20,731
Without knowing exactly where
the tunneling machine is,
510
00:33:20,733 --> 00:33:23,967
It could easily veer
off course.
511
00:33:23,969 --> 00:33:26,903
To solve this problem
as the machine digs,
512
00:33:26,905 --> 00:33:29,806
Surveyors use a series
of lasers
513
00:33:29,808 --> 00:33:32,342
To take super accurate
measurements of the distance
514
00:33:32,344 --> 00:33:34,311
And angles it has traveled,
515
00:33:34,313 --> 00:33:36,013
Leading all the way
to the reference points
516
00:33:36,015 --> 00:33:38,081
On the surface.
517
00:33:38,083 --> 00:33:40,584
From these measurements,
engineers calculate
518
00:33:40,586 --> 00:33:42,886
The route the tunneling machines
have taken
519
00:33:42,888 --> 00:33:45,622
And keep the drivers on course,
520
00:33:45,624 --> 00:33:48,058
But they will only know if
they've got their calculations
521
00:33:48,060 --> 00:33:53,897
Right when both tunneling teams
eventually meet in the middle.
522
00:33:53,899 --> 00:33:55,766
Patrick and his team
must constantly
523
00:33:55,768 --> 00:33:58,902
Check the tunneling machine's
progress as it moves forward.
524
00:33:58,904 --> 00:34:02,672
♪
525
00:34:02,674 --> 00:34:04,341
They work 24/7.
526
00:34:04,343 --> 00:34:07,978
♪
527
00:34:07,980 --> 00:34:11,581
If the tunneling machine moves
without accurate measurements,
528
00:34:11,583 --> 00:34:15,218
It will quickly
drift off course.
529
00:34:15,220 --> 00:34:19,423
Young: As a tunnel surveyor,
it is quite a lot of pressure.
530
00:34:19,425 --> 00:34:22,092
It's not the easiest
environment to work in.
531
00:34:22,094 --> 00:34:24,027
There's explosions.
532
00:34:24,029 --> 00:34:26,163
There's trucks and diggers
533
00:34:26,165 --> 00:34:29,366
Driving in every direction.
534
00:34:29,368 --> 00:34:31,935
Narrator: Patrick has mounted
laser-surveying devices
535
00:34:31,937 --> 00:34:34,337
Along the length
of the tunnel.
536
00:34:34,339 --> 00:34:36,740
As the tunneling machine
advances,
537
00:34:36,742 --> 00:34:38,675
He has to shift them
to keep up with it.
538
00:34:38,677 --> 00:34:40,677
Young: Going to go to the very
front of the machine now,
539
00:34:40,679 --> 00:34:43,146
And we have
to rebuild the laser.
540
00:34:43,148 --> 00:34:45,515
At least once a day,
maybe twice a day,
541
00:34:45,517 --> 00:34:48,585
We have to come down here
and scoot the laser forward.
542
00:34:48,587 --> 00:34:54,724
♪
543
00:34:54,726 --> 00:34:57,661
Narrator: Patrick quickly moves
the laser forward
544
00:34:57,663 --> 00:35:00,730
And starts his precision
measurements of checks
545
00:35:00,732 --> 00:35:04,434
And double-checks.
546
00:35:04,436 --> 00:35:05,902
When the laser
hits this target,
547
00:35:05,904 --> 00:35:08,405
Plate sends the information
548
00:35:08,407 --> 00:35:11,274
Back into the main cabin
549
00:35:11,276 --> 00:35:13,743
Where the driver then sees
550
00:35:13,745 --> 00:35:16,847
All the information
that he needs.
551
00:35:16,849 --> 00:35:18,348
The work we do is vital.
552
00:35:18,350 --> 00:35:21,685
Without our laser,
in a very quick time,
553
00:35:21,687 --> 00:35:23,720
It's going to go
in the wrong direction.
554
00:35:23,722 --> 00:35:25,622
Narrator:
After a few final checks,
555
00:35:25,624 --> 00:35:27,824
Patrick confirms
that the control cabin
556
00:35:27,826 --> 00:35:29,793
Is receiving
the correct data,
557
00:35:29,795 --> 00:35:31,995
And the tunneling machine
can move forward
558
00:35:31,997 --> 00:35:34,464
Knowing it's on
the right path.
559
00:35:34,466 --> 00:35:36,466
Young: We completed everything
for today.
560
00:35:36,468 --> 00:35:38,101
We're perfectly on track.
561
00:35:38,103 --> 00:35:42,005
Our little paper airplane
means we're receiving data.
562
00:35:42,007 --> 00:35:46,042
The machine is three centimeters
above the tunnel axis.
563
00:35:46,044 --> 00:35:47,477
That's how they want it to be.
564
00:35:47,479 --> 00:35:52,782
♪
565
00:35:52,784 --> 00:35:55,752
Narrator: As the tunnels burrow
deeper through the mountain,
566
00:35:55,754 --> 00:36:01,057
Engineers face another
herculean challenge.
567
00:36:01,059 --> 00:36:02,726
Once the tunnel is complete
568
00:36:02,728 --> 00:36:04,528
And trains
are running through here,
569
00:36:04,530 --> 00:36:06,963
Engineers need to be able
to rescue passengers
570
00:36:06,965 --> 00:36:08,598
In an emergency.
571
00:36:08,600 --> 00:36:10,100
The longer the train tunnel,
572
00:36:10,102 --> 00:36:12,435
The harder
the rescue mission becomes,
573
00:36:12,437 --> 00:36:15,972
And this will be
the longest underground railway
574
00:36:15,974 --> 00:36:17,707
In the world.
575
00:36:17,709 --> 00:36:21,311
When you bring passengers
in a tunnel this long,
576
00:36:21,313 --> 00:36:23,480
You need to think about safety,
577
00:36:23,482 --> 00:36:27,384
And of course
the major threat is fire.
578
00:36:27,386 --> 00:36:30,253
Narrator: One of the worst
tunnel fires in recent history
579
00:36:30,255 --> 00:36:34,991
Occurred on the morning
of March 24, 1999.
580
00:36:34,993 --> 00:36:37,127
A truck catches fire
at the center
581
00:36:37,129 --> 00:36:40,931
Of the seven-mile-long
mont blanc road tunnel.
582
00:36:40,933 --> 00:36:44,868
Temperatures soar to over
1,800 degrees fahrenheit,
583
00:36:44,870 --> 00:36:48,405
Destroying vehicles
and the tunnel lining.
584
00:36:48,407 --> 00:36:50,207
It takes firefighters
almost three days
585
00:36:50,209 --> 00:36:53,510
To extinguish the inferno.
586
00:36:53,512 --> 00:36:57,447
The fire claims 35 lives.
587
00:36:57,449 --> 00:37:00,917
Tunnel builders today have to
assume the worst and plan
588
00:37:00,919 --> 00:37:03,887
For any emergency.
589
00:37:03,889 --> 00:37:07,724
The brenner base tunnel is going
to be the longest in the world,
590
00:37:07,726 --> 00:37:13,230
So if the worst happens, how can
engineers keep passengers safe?
591
00:37:13,232 --> 00:37:16,032
♪
592
00:37:23,008 --> 00:37:25,842
♪
593
00:37:25,844 --> 00:37:29,579
Narrator: 3,000 feet below
the surface of the alps,
594
00:37:29,581 --> 00:37:30,914
Engineers are building
595
00:37:30,916 --> 00:37:34,517
The longest railway tunnel
in the world.
596
00:37:34,519 --> 00:37:37,887
They're working to overcome
a critical challenge.
597
00:37:37,889 --> 00:37:40,924
If a fire occurs inside
the railway tunnel,
598
00:37:40,926 --> 00:37:43,093
How do you keep
passengers safe
599
00:37:43,095 --> 00:37:47,564
When the nearest exit
could be 18 1/2 miles away?
600
00:37:47,566 --> 00:37:49,933
The overall idea is to get rid
of the smoke,
601
00:37:49,935 --> 00:37:51,668
To get people away
from the smoke,
602
00:37:51,670 --> 00:37:53,169
Which is one of
the main hazards
603
00:37:53,171 --> 00:37:57,040
That we have once
a fire occurs in a tunnel.
604
00:37:57,042 --> 00:38:00,076
Narrator: This is
how they plan to do it.
605
00:38:00,078 --> 00:38:02,846
Engineers are building
three emergency stations,
606
00:38:02,848 --> 00:38:04,247
Called refuges,
607
00:38:04,249 --> 00:38:08,818
12 1/2 miles apart deep
in the heart of the mountain.
608
00:38:08,820 --> 00:38:11,521
If a fire breaks out
on board a train,
609
00:38:11,523 --> 00:38:15,625
The driver won't stop until
they reach the nearest refuge.
610
00:38:15,627 --> 00:38:18,762
Here an escape route leads
through fireproof doors
611
00:38:18,764 --> 00:38:20,997
Into cross tunnels.
612
00:38:20,999 --> 00:38:26,369
These open out into a 1,500-foot
central refuge tunnel.
613
00:38:26,371 --> 00:38:29,706
To stop the refuge from
filling up with toxic fumes,
614
00:38:29,708 --> 00:38:31,107
Special ventilation fans
615
00:38:31,109 --> 00:38:34,511
And ducts extract the smoke
from the train.
616
00:38:34,513 --> 00:38:37,080
They safely draw it away
from the passengers
617
00:38:37,082 --> 00:38:39,949
Through a separate channel
overhead.
618
00:38:39,951 --> 00:38:43,019
With the fire securely sealed
in one tunnel,
619
00:38:43,021 --> 00:38:45,121
Rescue workers use
the second tunnel
620
00:38:45,123 --> 00:38:48,091
To transport passengers
from the refuge to safety.
621
00:38:48,093 --> 00:38:56,733
♪
622
00:38:56,735 --> 00:38:59,135
Rosella audino is part
of the team
623
00:38:59,137 --> 00:39:02,539
Building the italian
safety station.
624
00:39:17,089 --> 00:39:19,923
Rosella has to inspect
and sign off all work
625
00:39:19,925 --> 00:39:21,391
On the surrounding tunnels
626
00:39:21,393 --> 00:39:23,893
Before they can start
building the emergency station.
627
00:39:49,054 --> 00:39:50,787
With this system in place,
628
00:39:50,789 --> 00:39:53,957
Passengers can access
the emergency station quickly
629
00:39:53,959 --> 00:39:59,295
And wait in safety
until a rescue train gets there.
630
00:39:59,297 --> 00:40:04,100
This ingenious safety system has
added $43 million per station
631
00:40:04,102 --> 00:40:07,871
To the cost of the tunnel,
but in a tunnel this long,
632
00:40:07,873 --> 00:40:10,640
It's essential
if the worst does happen.
633
00:40:10,642 --> 00:40:15,845
♪
634
00:40:15,847 --> 00:40:17,847
On the italian side
of the alps,
635
00:40:17,849 --> 00:40:20,250
The first of the two main
tunneling machines
636
00:40:20,252 --> 00:40:24,087
Is already 1/2 mile
into its 8.6-mile journey.
637
00:40:24,089 --> 00:40:27,624
♪
638
00:40:27,626 --> 00:40:29,592
Now, after four months of work
639
00:40:29,594 --> 00:40:31,961
Assembling the second
tunneling machine,
640
00:40:31,963 --> 00:40:35,732
They are gearing up
to set that off, too.
641
00:40:35,734 --> 00:40:38,768
It's a huge moment
for project lead giorgio
642
00:40:38,770 --> 00:40:41,938
And the whole team.
643
00:40:41,940 --> 00:40:46,543
Today is a special day
in our project.
644
00:40:46,545 --> 00:40:48,711
This is the day
when the last tbm
645
00:40:48,713 --> 00:40:53,116
Starts to the border.
646
00:40:53,118 --> 00:40:56,319
Narrator: Tunnel managers have
organized a massive celebration
647
00:40:56,321 --> 00:40:58,455
To launch the last
tunneling machine
648
00:40:58,457 --> 00:41:01,257
On its epic 8.6-mile journey.
649
00:41:01,259 --> 00:41:04,928
[ speaking foreign language ]
650
00:41:04,930 --> 00:41:06,596
Narrator:
In a time-honored tradition,
651
00:41:06,598 --> 00:41:09,766
A priest christens
the tunnel-boring machine.
652
00:41:09,768 --> 00:41:12,936
They will call her virginia.
653
00:41:12,938 --> 00:41:15,338
It's taken the team
more than 2,000 hours
654
00:41:15,340 --> 00:41:18,174
To get this
massive machine ready.
655
00:41:18,176 --> 00:41:21,277
Finally, it's time
to start virginia up
656
00:41:21,279 --> 00:41:23,613
And break into the rock wall.
657
00:41:23,615 --> 00:41:26,115
[ speaking foreign language ]
658
00:41:26,117 --> 00:41:28,384
♪
659
00:41:28,386 --> 00:41:29,652
[ cork pops ]
660
00:41:29,654 --> 00:41:34,257
[ applause ]
661
00:41:34,259 --> 00:41:39,996
Narrator: Now all tunneling
machines are digging.
662
00:41:39,998 --> 00:41:42,232
They won't stop until
they break through
663
00:41:42,234 --> 00:41:46,970
At the italian-austria border
beneath the heart of the alps.
664
00:41:46,972 --> 00:41:49,439
Everybody that has worked
on the project
665
00:41:49,441 --> 00:41:53,309
Takes pride
in what they have done.
666
00:41:53,311 --> 00:41:58,848
Narrator: This megaproject is
a once-in-a-generation endeavor.
667
00:41:58,850 --> 00:42:01,751
When the railway tunnel
opens in 2028,
668
00:42:01,753 --> 00:42:04,153
Giorgio and his team
will have excavated
669
00:42:04,155 --> 00:42:07,490
More than 140 miles of tunnel.
670
00:42:07,492 --> 00:42:12,729
Over 200 high-speed trains a day
will form a vital new artery
671
00:42:12,731 --> 00:42:14,931
From the north of europe
to the south,
672
00:42:14,933 --> 00:42:18,768
Slashing journey times for
freight and passengers.
673
00:42:18,770 --> 00:42:22,205
Thanks to the longest
railway tunnel in the world,
674
00:42:22,207 --> 00:42:26,242
Traveling across the alps
will never be the same again.
675
00:42:26,244 --> 00:42:28,778
♪
58665
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