On 3 March 2022, the general manager of the client launched the large-diameter (9.98m) dual-mode shield machine developed by CREG, and marked the official commencement of the tunnelling construction stage for the Italian Cefalù Railway Tunnel project.

The tunnel is designed as twin tunnel. The length of the tunnel is 6.7 kilometres, with a maximum burial depth of approximately 300 metres, and a maximum water pressure exceeding 5 bar. The strata consist mainly of clay soil, clay limestone, siltstone and sandstone fractures zone, etc. Additionally, the equipment needs to pass under historical and cultural monuments of the Cefalù area, which puts higher requirements on our construction equipment and technology.