Last Wednesday, March 6, the final phase of the excavation of the Gaintxurizketa tunnel was executed, thus completing the first phase of the gauge expansion works. This action marks an important milestone in the progress of the project for the implementation of the standard gauge between Astigarraga and Irun, a project in which ESTEYCO is responsible for the Assistance and Control of the Works The excavation works were carried out using the (Tunneling Enlargement System) TES. This system allows the excavation works to be carried out while maintaining the circulation of trains throughout the entire process. The Gaintxurizketa tunnel has a length of 557.9 m, of which 222 m were excavated in a previous phase, prior to the project being halted due to reasons beyond Adif’s control, with excavation work resuming the remaining 335.9 m in February 2023. Once the section expansion works are completed, the removal of the TES machine and the execution of the waterproofing and the final coating will begin.