Project data
Construction period: 01/2021 - 06/2022
Contractor: SWIETELSKY TUNNELBAU
The Rudersdorf tunnel project was started during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite personnel shortages and problems with material deliveries, the project was ultimately successfully completed.
At times, the project, which is part of the S7 expressway project, was going through some rough batches. This was due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis. There were personnel shortages due to lockdowns and quarantines. Many workers returned to their home countries, then became available again but were not allowed to reenter to Austria due to border closures. In addition, there were delivery difficulties along the entire supply chain of the raw materials due to the situation in the global steel market. Common diameter-calibers were temporarily unavailable. All of this led to a slowdown in the construction progress.
The material supply could then be ensured by using the entire supplier network of the BEST group. Once sufficient personnel was available, the backlog was made up through accelerating forcing measures.
Specially qualified personnel was needed for the tunnel's freestanding vault reinforcement. Therefore, under the above-mentioned circumstances, longer initial time periods were sometimes necessary, before a process was running smoothly. The BEST group's good reputation in the construction industry and good networking with personnel service providers and subcontractors enabled the staffing to be replenished. Work was then carried out with personnel overcapacity in day and night shifts. The project shows that the BEST group, with its laying teams, is a reliable partner even in times of crisis.