ABSTRACT
This article describes the solution chosen for the construction of the “Nodo di Palermo” artificial railway tunnel, whose layout was to follow an existing railway line crossing a highly urbanized area (interfering therefore with important road axes, regulated by level crossings) and was to ensure continuity of the railway operation. This led to the simultaneous burial of the railway line with the doubling operation. The narrowness of the available spaces, not sufficient for a deviation of the track compatible with the final arrangement of the under-ground work, led to an artificial tunnel solution. The “cut & cover” method was used. Artificial tunnel cover slabs were divided into two portions, essentially half in the longitudinal sense of the tunnel and realized in two phases, ensuring the possibility, through temporary deviations, to keep the railway line in operation. The article shows the status quo ante, the design choices and main executive phases.
