Tunnel between Sava and Danube slopes gets new route and construction method – TBM to replace classic drilling

In order to reduce traffic congestion in the central city core and shorten travel time between Sava and Danube slopes, the plan is to change the route and construction method of the future tunnel that will connect these two key Belgrade zones.

As envisaged by the amendments to the Detailed Regulation Plan, the tunnel connection will be implemented using TBM technology (Tunnel Boring Machine) instead of the previous classic construction method, which will, as stated, speed up the execution of works and reduce the negative impact on the environment.

The tunnel will have two traffic tubes with two lanes each, and the total area covered by the plan is 34.97 hectares. The tunnel entrances and exits are planned in the extension of the Old Sava Bridge, which will be replaced by a new bridge of higher capacity, and on the Danube slope side near the Ministry of the Interior building, near the intersection with Jovana Avakumovica Street.

The tunnel route envisages passing under Gavrila Principa Street, Terazije, Nusiceva Street and further along the route of Despota Stefana Boulevard.

The tunnel will, as stated, enable an easier and faster connection between New Belgrade, the Sava Amphitheater and Ada Huja, with an estimated reduction in transport load in the central city zone by around 14%, shortening travel time by 10% and increasing the average speed of vehicles by the same percentage.

The plan also envisages the landscaping of green areas on both sides of the tunnel, including green islands, tree-lined avenues and pedestrian paths.

The project also includes the redefinition of Luka Celovic Park, which will be divided into a square next to the Faculty of Economics and the square bordered by Gavrila Principa, Karadjordjeva and Licka streets.

The plan is being developed by the Secretariat for Urban Planning and Construction Affairs, the developer is the Belgrade Urban Planning Institute, while the client is the Jaroslav Cerni Institute.

As recently reported, preparatory work for the installation of the “mole” machine that will dig a tunnel from the Belgrade Faculty of Economics to Despota Stefana Boulevard should begin in the next two months, after being postponed due to technical obstacles, while the actual installation of the machine will take about a year.

The Chief Urban Planner of the City of Belgrade, Marko Stojcic, said that the preparation of the terrain for the installation of the “mole” was more complicated than digging the tunnel.

According to him, it is necessary to prepare the terrain, more precisely the excavations in which the machine will be placed and from where it will start digging the tunnel.

– This needs to be done at two locations - at the Faculty of Economics and in Despota Stefana Boulevard, between which this underground road stretches. But, just installing the machine will take more than a year. Once it is placed and the digging begins, there is no stopping – added Stojcic.

As previously announced, the Chinese company PowerChina will be responsible for the implementation of this project, and last year the Serbian Government approved borrowing worth 24.8 billion dinars (about 20 million euros) for the construction of this road.

I. Z.

Grad Beograd, Sekretarijat za urbanizam i građevinske poslove

JUP Urbanistički zavod Beograda

Power Construction Corporation of China Limited Ogranak Beograd

Institut za vodoprivredu Jaroslav Černi DOO

Sava slope

Danube slope

tunnel near Faculty of Economics

entrance portal to tunnel near Faculty of Economics