In recent weeks the traditional excavation of the Finestra F1 tunnel, one of the main works of art of the Hirpinia tunnel, has started.

The Finestra F1 has a length of more than 1.7 km with a maximum coverage of 220 m: this work will play a key role by allowing, inside a dismantling chamber, the dismantling of the four TBMs that will excavate the tunnel.

During operation, on the other hand, the structure will allow open-air exodus of passengers in case of emergency. The exit is located in Ariano Irpino, in contrada Stratola: technological yards and the new electrical substation have also been located at the tunnel exit.

The F1 Window will be part of the Hirpinia tunnel, an extremely complex underground construction, not only because of its length of more than 27 km but especially because of the geological and geotechnical context in which it is to be built: for these reasons realization of the Hirpinia will be an unparalleled unicum.

In fact, the work crosses the highlands of the Southern Apennines, composed of structurally intricate formations with a high degree of tectonization and mechanical behaviors that are particularly problematic for the tension paths associated with tunnel excavation.

The tunnel-the longest in Italy along with the Valico tunnel-will connect Puglia and Campania, crossing the provinces of Foggia and Avellino. The works will be in the context of the Hirpinia-Orsara section, which will run mainly in tunnels with a speed of between 200 and 250 km/h and an overall length of more than 28 km.