Geological risk assessment at the design stage in tunnel construction using GIS technique: the case of the A1 Highway Base Tunnel in the Apennines (Italy)

The Autostrada del Sole (A1 Highway) was build in the “60”s and projected for 20,000 vehicles per day, but nowadays up to 50,000 vehicles run everyday between Firenze and Bologna. In the beginning of the 80’s a project to potentiate the traffic capacity was carried out (VAV project). The Base Tunnel will allow a faster crossing of the Apennine mountains. It will be about 8.6 km long, double tube, with 160 m2 section and it will be excavated with drill and blast and mechanic machineries.