Switzerland and Italy keep moving closer together. The two power plants Campocologno (Switzerland) and Tirano (Italy) were to be linked via a 150-kilovolt coupling line. To prevent bottlenecks in the future, some 150 megawatts were planned to flow between both countries. The new power cables were not installed above ground. They were laid underground in difficult geological conditions in order to protect the beauty of the landscapes in Southern Graubünden and Lombardy.

The challenges along the hard-rock pipe jacking section with a length of 380 meters included a gradient of 3.5 degrees and partially considerable water intrusions. A Herrenknecht AVN1200TC was used during this project. With a direct access to the tunnel face, several cutter tool changes could be carried out without problems underground. The machine was deliverd on the jobsite in August 2008 and tunnelling works started on September 22. The project was completed with an accurate breakthrough exactly two months later on November 22, 2008.