Tunnel Global Market Report 2024

The tunnel market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $25.63 billion in 2023 to $26.58 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%. The expansion observed in the past can be credited to urbanization and the development of infrastructure, increasing environmental awareness and regulatory measures, high population density leading to congestion, the necessity for emergency and security infrastructure, as well as activities related to mining and resource extraction.

The tunnel market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $31.22 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. Anticipated growth in the forthcoming period can be attributed to the establishment of renewable energy infrastructure, the seamless integration of smart infrastructure, the implementation of high-speed rail projects, the development of underground urban spaces, efforts towards climate change adaptation, and the advancement of cross-border transportation initiatives. Noteworthy trends expected in this forecast period encompass technological progressions in tunneling techniques, innovative advancements in tunnel boring machines (TBMs), an increased emphasis on sustainability, resilience, and security measures, as well as a focus on digitalization and the utilization of building information modeling (BIM).

The tunnel market's growth is expected to be driven by the escalation in road traffic. Road traffic involves the movement of vehicles and pedestrians along designated road networks. Tunnels serve to reroute traffic from town centers, minimizing landscape damage and optimizing underground space for transportation. Government Technology's report in January 2023 revealed that drivers collectively spent nearly 4.8 billion hours in traffic in 2022, experiencing increased financial losses an average of $869 per American driver due to traffic delays. Hence, the surge in road traffic fuels the growth of the tunnel market.

The tunnel market is projected to flourish due to the escalating demand for efficient transportation solutions. Efficiency in transportation, characterized by optimized resource utilization and reduced congestion, is closely linked to tunnels providing alternative routes to bypass congested areas. For instance, in November 2022, according to a report published by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a US-based agency, according to the Transportation Satellite Accounts (TSAs) of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), transportation services, including for-hire, internal, and home services, made a significant contribution of $1.3 trillion, accounting for 5.6% of the expanded U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) of $23.7 trillion in 2021. In-house transportation via truck, rail, water, and air experienced a slight increase by 0.1 percentage points, reaching 1.0% in 2021. Therefore, the increasing demand for efficient transportation is driving the growth of the tunnel market.


Acciona S.A., a Spain-based infrastructure company, unveiled Digitunnel in January 2023. This real-time tunnel technology revolutionizes tunnel construction projects by aggregating vast amounts of real-time data into accessible and actionable information. Digitunnel ensures better project control, enhances worker safety, and minimizes the need for human intervention and documentation. Additionally, it rapidly identifies potentially hazardous gases, further improving worker safety in tunnel projects.

Major companies are focusing on developing advanced technologies such as tunneling intelligence solutions to broaden their customer base, boost sales, and increase revenue. These solutions integrate various data into a comprehensive decision support system for underground mines and tunnel sites. Epiroc AB, a Sweden-based manufacturer of mining and infrastructure equipment, introduced Mobilaris Tunneling Intelligence in May 2022. This innovation significantly enhances safety measures while concurrently improving productivity. The technology benefits users by providing planning tools, productivity enhancements, 3D situational awareness, reporting, and safety measures. Notably, Mobilaris Tunneling Intelligence enhances traceability and facilitates real-time planning and scheduling through data utilization from ongoing operations.

In October 2021, Systra Group, a France-based engineering and consulting group, completed the acquisition of SWS. The financial specifics of this acquisition remain undisclosed. This strategic move is aimed at broadening Systra's presence in Italy and strengthening its global market foothold in tunnel design and construction, particularly within Europe. SWS, an Italy-based engineering company specializing in tunnel and underground structure design, enriches Systra's expertise in this specialized domain.

Major companies operating in the tunnel market report are China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, Bouygues Construction, Shanghai Construction Group Co., Ltd., Vinci Construction, Larsen & Toubro Limited, Eaton Corporation PLC, Bechtel Corporation, Strabag SE, Skanska AB, Obayashi Corporation, Turner Construction Company, Kiewit Corporation, AECOM, Acciona, S.A., Taisei Corporation, Balfour Beatty PLC, Salini Impregilo S.p.A., Sacyr, S.A., PORR AG, Tutor Perini Corporation, Aecon Group Inc., Granite Construction Incorporated, Hatch Ltd., Systra Group, McConnell Dowell Corporation, Construction Partners, Inc., Dragados USA Inc., Duro Felguera, S.A., 3TI Progetti S.p.A., Aktor S.A., ACS Group, Eiffage S.A.

North America was the largest region in the tunnel market in 2023. Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global tunnel market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the tunnel market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the tunnel market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

There are primarily two main types of tunnels such as railway tunnels and highway or roadway tunnels. Railway tunnels accommodate railway tracks and are constructed to shorten travel distances by allowing train lines to pass through geographical barriers such as mountains. These tunnels commonly utilize materials such as steel, concrete, and composite materials and find applications in commercial and government construction projects.

The tunnel market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides tunnel market statistics, including tunnel industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with tunnel market share, detailed tunnel market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the tunnel industry. This tunnel market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The tunnel market includes revenues earned by entities by providing tunnel design, structural analysis, precast concrete design, geotechnical design, procurement, and project management services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.