With a diameter of 15.08 meters, a length of 182 meters, and weighing 3900 tons, the world's largest tunnel boring machine for drilling super hard rock made a 9 km tunnel in Georgia and impresses with its excavation power.

With a diameter of 15.08 meters, a length of 182 meters, and weighing 3900 tons, the world’s largest tunnel boring machine for drilling super hard rock made a 9 km tunnel in Georgia and impresses with its excavation power.

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 16/05/2026 at 09:45

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With 15.08 meters in diameter, 182 meters in length, and 3900 tons, the Caucasus tunnel boring machine completed the excavation of the 9 km tunnel that integrates the Kvesheti-Kobi highway in Georgia

The Caucasus tunnel boring machine, manufactured by CREG, completed the excavation of the 9 km tunnel between Kvesheti and Kobiin on May 23, 2024, a central stage of the Kvesheti-Kobi highway in Georgia. It is considered the largest of its kind in the world and impresses with its capacity.

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Caucasus tunnel boring machine opened 8,860 m without intermediate accesses

The single shield hard rock machine finished drilling in Lot 1 of the project, which includes a 23 km highway with two lanes, connecting Kvesheti to Kobiin.

The equipment completed 8,860 m of excavation without intermediate accesses, in a work of long distance, depth, and complex geological conditions. The maximum overburden reached 1121 m.

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Machine was adapted for hard rock

The geology crossed is composed of tuff and marl. The rock resistance reached 130 MPa, requiring a specific configuration to face adverse terrains and maintain productivity.

For this scenario, the tunnel boring machine received an active articulation system, a bidirectional rotation cutting head, and a dual-speed reducer. These features allow precise adjustment of the machine’s inclination.

The structure was also prepared to excavate quickly in difficult terrains and drill efficiently when the surrounding rocks are of good quality. The maximum thrust is 22,600 tons, with a total power of 9,900 kW.

9 km tunnel will be the longest in Georgia

After the completion of the excavation, the final works on the 9 km tunnel should begin soon. This stage includes excavation, installation of electrical and engineering systems, as well as paving.

The tunnel is considered the longest in Georgia. The construction is part of the Kvesheti-Kobi connection and is expected to strengthen the connection in a region where harsh winters cause frequent interruptions.

Tunnel Boring Machine, Largest tunnel boring machine in the world — Image: Reproduction

Project aims to reduce travel and expand access to Gudauri

The Kvesheti-Kobi project plans the construction of a 5 km road to connect the city to Gudauri. The road will meet the necessary safety standards and reduce travel time.

With the new road, the Gudauri resort will be ready to welcome more visitors. The proposal is part of the goal to develop Georgia as a tourist hub, using a safer connection in the stretch.

Construction will have bridges, tunnels, and completion in stages

The total investment is 400.37 million euros, equivalent to 1.2 billion GEL. The execution is supported financially by the Asian Development Bank, the ADB.

Part of the tunnel construction is co-financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the EBRD. The complete package includes 5 bridges, 5 tunnels, and the rehabilitation of 1 bridge.

The construction will be completed in stages between 2024 and 2025. The road functions as a link between Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other countries, maintaining continuous traffic in winter and ensuring the transport of local products and essential items.

With information from Tunnelbuilder.

With a diameter of 15.08 meters, a length of 182 meters, and weighing 3900 tons, the world’s largest tunnel boring machine for drilling super hard rock made a 9 km tunnel in Georgia and impresses with its excavation power.

With 15.08 meters in diameter, 182 meters in length, and 3900 tons, the Caucasus tunnel boring machine completed the excavation of the 9 km tunnel that integrates the Kvesheti-Kobi highway in Georgia

Caucasus tunnel boring machine opened 8,860 m without intermediate accesses

Machine was adapted for hard rock

9 km tunnel will be the longest in Georgia

Project aims to reduce travel and expand access to Gudauri

Construction will have bridges, tunnels, and completion in stages

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With a diameter of 15.08 meters, a length of 182 meters, and weighing 3900 tons, the world’s largest tunnel boring machine for drilling super hard rock made a 9 km tunnel in Georgia and impresses with its excavation power.

With 15.08 meters in diameter, 182 meters in length, and 3900 tons, the Caucasus tunnel boring machine completed the excavation of the 9 km tunnel that integrates the Kvesheti-Kobi highway in Georgia

Caucasus tunnel boring machine opened 8,860 m without intermediate accesses

Machine was adapted for hard rock

9 km tunnel will be the longest in Georgia

Project aims to reduce travel and expand access to Gudauri

Construction will have bridges, tunnels, and completion in stages

A Chinese factory in Guangdong is assembling a humanoid robot every 30 minutes while Tesla, Figure, and Boston Dynamics still struggle to deliver 10 thousand per year.

While an average building in London or New York takes three years to be completed, in China a 26-story tower went up in five days with about 100 workers, and the global modular construction market already moves US$ 95 billion per year.

Australia installs giant concrete structures on the seabed 800 meters from the shore to create an ocean intake for desalination that will draw in saltwater and produce 30 million liters of drinking water per day.

Secret chamber sealed 4,500 years ago found in the Pyramid of Khufu, and Hawass announces its opening to the world in 2026

A public school student single-handedly created a machine capable of treating water for up to 50 people using only solar energy. It was awarded third place at one of the most important science fairs in the world.

Germany installed vertical solar panels on a lake in Bavaria, and the result broke conventional logic: instead of producing energy at midday peak, the plant generates more early in the morning and in the evening, exactly when families turn on appliances and factories are in full swing.

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