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Europe’s largest vertical shaft machine launched in the UK


Rome sees next step at Venezia station ITALY- Work has commenced on the second major construction phase for Venezia Station on Rome Metro’s Line C. Following completion of the first


phase – which included the installation of diaphragm walls and internal slabs, as well as archaeological excavations – the second will focus on completing the station box and related works. The project, managed by the Metro C


consortium led by Webuild and Vianini Lavori on behalf of Roma Metropolitane, is said to be among the most complex and strategic undertakings in the historic heart of the Italian capital. The first phase began in June 2023 with


the relocation of utilities and measures to protect artistic and historic sites. The latest phase will involve soil


Above: A 15m-diameter VSM is building the TBM launch and retrieval shafts for National Grid’s new cable tunnel under the River Thames, at the edge of London PHOTO CREDIT: National Grid


UK - The Ferrovial BEMO JV working on a new power cable tunnel near London has launched Europe’s largest vertical shaft machine. The Herrenknecht vertical shaft sinking machine, VSM 15000, has a 15m internal diameter and is being used to sink the launching shaft for tunnelling under the River Thames. It will first excavate the


48m-deep shaft in Tilbury, and then be transferred to Gravesend to construct the target shaft. Ferrovial BEMO JV will use a


Herrenknecht Mixshield TBM to bore the 2.2km-long high-voltage (400kV) cable tunnel between the shafts. The new power cable tunnel is a


critical part of National Grid’s ‘The Great Grid Upgrade’, designed to future-proof the UK’s electricity transmission network. It is doing so by replacing the


existing 1960s Thames Cable Tunnel, which runs between Tilbury and Gravesend and has reached the end of its useful life. The vertical shaft sinking


machine is named ‘Verena’, after pioneering British mechanical engineer Verena Holmes. The machine is operated


remotely from the surface and


removes the need for operatives to enter the shaft during construction. Unlike traditional shaft construction methods, the VSM operates in a slurry environment, balancing slurry levels with groundwater to prevent water inflow and ensure safe, efficient progress through challenging geology. Ferrovial said this approach


sets a new benchmark for UK shaft construction. The Ferrovial BEMO JV project


director, Borja Trashorras, said the launch of Europe’s largest diameter, vertical shaft sinking machine was a milestone achievement. “This technology allows us to


deliver the Grain to Tilbury project with enhanced safety, efficiency, and environmental performance.” National Grid project director


Mark Farmer said: “The launch of the vertical shaft sinking machine marks a major milestone for the project. “Through collaboration and


innovation, this technology is helping to deliver resilient infrastructure under the Thames, securing reliable electricity for the decades ahead.”


consolidation, completion of the station box with additional diaphragm walls, and a new archaeological excavation up to 4m- 5m below ground level.


Potomac first bore start US - DC Water recently marked the official start of tunnelling for the 8.9km-long Potomac River Tunnel Project yesterday with the ceremonial blessing of TBM ‘Mary’. The 6.4m-diameter Herrenknecht TBM will dig the northern leg of the tunnel. The sister TBM - ‘Emily’ – is to excavate the southern leg. Potomac River Tunnel is designed to radically reduce combined sewage and stormwater overflows from entering the Potomac River in an average year of rainfall.


Hammersmith tunnel vision UK - A new road tunnel is proposed to bypass central Hammersmith, in west London, and allow the eyesore of the flyover to be demolished, improve access to the river, support regeneration and improve air quality. Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s draft


Local Plan received approval in October and recently has had a public consultation underway. The plans call for the 65-year old flyover and associated roads to be replaced with underground road links by Transport for London (TfL). Moving the flyover and sections of the


A4 underground would free up land for development and reconnect Hammersmith town centre to the River Thames. The project would be self-financed by releasing land value for redevelopment and through financial backing of the Mayor of London, TfL, and central government.


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