Two shortened tunnel boring machines are on track to excavate the first section of parallel tunnels on Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop East project.
These first two TBMs are being launched using an innovative ‘umbilical’ method, which has been adopted to overcome confined conditions at the site. Instead of being launched at their full length, the massive excavators will initially begin tunnelling using only the front section of the machine.
A temporary system of cables and hoses, known as an umbilical, connects the equipment to the surface, providing the power and support services that are required for the tunnelling. As each TBM advances underground, the remaining components of the machine are progressively installed behind it. Once fully assembled, each TBM will reach approximately 100 metres in length.
The first TBM, Alice, has been launched from Burwood in the direction of Glen Waverley and the second machine, Hacia, is expected to start tunnelling in the coming weeks, according to Webuild, the leader of the Terra Verde Joint Venture which was awarded the $1.7 billion Tunnels North contract.
Webuild, GS E&C Australia, and Bouygues Construction Australia comprise the JV, which will deliver almost 10km of parallel tunnels between the future Box Hill and Glen Waverley stations in Melbourne.
The contract’s scope also includes 39 cross passages, two station boxes, two TBM launch sites, and an intervention and ventilation shaft.
Further TBMs are scheduled to launch from Burwood next year that will begin tunnelling towards Box Hill and continue the next phase of what is a major underground construction program.
Image credit: Webuild
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Desi Corbett
Desi is the Editor of Concrete in Australia, at the helm since December 2013, and our weekly news writer since 2016. Her expertise in this field forms part of a journalism career spanning three decades. To get in touch please email desi@corbettcomms.com