Gurtnellen power station finishing works
| Company | PORR SUISSE AG in consortium |
| Principal | Elektrizitätswerk Altdorf AG |
| Location | Gurtnellen - Switzerland |
| Type | Rock technology |
| Runtime | 09.2015 - 09.2017 |
1,748m pressure line over a 600m variation in altitude.
Between October 2015 and October 2017, during the course of this infrastructure project, a pressure pipe from the 19th century was replaced. The pipeline followed a dry-stone wall along an historic, very steep and narrow foot track. The limited space at a high elevation presented the PORR team with demanding technical and logistical challenges.
In order to transport construction materials to the site at more than 1,300m above sea level, PORR constructed its own supply cableway with a load rating of up to 5 tonnes. Before the necessary excavation, blasting and concreting works for the 1,748m-long pressure line between the water catchment and the power station could be carried out, the power station facilities and the existing pressure line had to be dismantled. Only then could the up to 6m-deep excavation and concreting works for the new turbines be carried out.
Enormous logistical efforts were required in order to access the construction site and deliver materials.
© PORR
Works on the hillside could be carried out only with the help of special equipment.
© PORR
The replacement of the pressure pipe is the basis for the upgrade of the Gurtnellen power station.
© PORR