ElbX Elbe crossing has reached the breakthrough stage

Tunneling

PORR is constructing a key section of the major SuedLink project
ElbX Elbe crossing has reached the breakthrough stage

Wischhafen, 30.06.2026 / Tunneling

Vienna/Wischhafen, 30 June 2026 – A key milestone has been reached in the major SuedLink project: on 22 June, the breakthrough took place during the construction of the ElbX tunnel across the River Elbe, carried out on behalf of TenneT Germany and in collaboration with the project partners. The tunnel construction work, carried out by PORR, connects Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony over a distance of around 5.2 kilometres. The Elbe crossing is one of the key sections of the power line, which will in future transport renewable energy from the north to the south of Germany.

The picture shows a construction worker standing with his back to the camera. He is standing in front of the large cutting wheel of the ELSA tunnel boring machine on the ElbX project. — © PORR
On 22 June, the tunnel boring machine broke through on the Lower Saxony side of the Elbe as part of the construction of the Elbe crossing.

“The tunnel construction beneath the Elbe is a major and complex project that has repeatedly presented us, as a construction company, with challenges. Nevertheless, we were able to reach this milestone ahead of schedule. We are proud to be able to celebrate this success together with our project partners,” says PORR CEO Karl-Heinz Strauss. The tunnel was driven under the River Elbe using mechanical tunnelling methods at depths of up to several dozen metres and under demanding geological and water-bearing conditions. The planning, logistics and execution placed the highest demands on all those involved.

Over the final 400 metres or so, the project team benefited particularly from favourable ground conditions, which enabled exceptional tunnelling rates. New records were set on site: the maximum daily advance was 32.6 metres, or 25 segment rings, whilst the weekly record stood at 158.7 metres.

Precise planning, close collaboration

“The successful breakthrough demonstrates what is possible through the combination of modern tunnelling technology, experience and a well-coordinated and motivated team,” says René Hallbauer, Tunnel Construction Project Manager at PORR. “This achievement is based on precise planning and close collaboration across all trades.”

Throughout the entire construction period, tunnelling was characterised by variable and challenging ground conditions in the groundwater of the River Elbe. The fact that the breakthrough was nevertheless achieved earlier than forecast underlines the high level of technical expertise within PORR Tunnel Construction, as well as the close coordination between all project partners.

With the successful breakthrough, work can now begin on the interior fit-out and technical equipment of the tunnel. Once completed, the Elbe crossing will make a significant contribution to a stable and secure electricity supply in Germany and is a key component in the success of the energy transition.

5.2 km-long tunnel under the Elbe

The “SuedLink ElbX” project involves the construction of a tunnel approximately 5.2 km long under the Elbe between Wewelsfleth (Schleswig-Holstein) and Wischhafen (Lower Saxony). The tunnel forms part of the SuedLink power line and will enable high-capacity high-voltage direct-current cables to be routed beneath the river in future, in order to transport wind power from northern Germany to the southern regions. This technically challenging structure is regarded as a key project in Germany’s energy transition.