| NEWS


First Fehmarnbelt tunnel elements soon to immerse DENMARK - Immersion of the first massive precast concrete element for the almost 18km-long Fehmarn project is expected around Q2 this year. The immersion pontoon vessel - ‘Ivy’ -


to lower the elements is undergoing final testing while preparation of the trench continues along the seabed between Denmark and Germany. Approval of the pontoon is almost two


years behind the schedule. Last September the project developer, Femern A/S, said the delay had put project back 18 months. “Our focus is on resolving the current


challenges and finding solutions that will drive the project forward,” said Mikkel Hemmingsen, CEO of Sund & Bælt Holding, which owns Femern A/S. By early this year there had been 15 tunnel


concrete elements cast in the purpose-built factory on Lolland, corresponding to the first 2.7km of the immersed tube tunnel. Delays have pushed back opening of the


road and rail link from 2029 and impacted total construction costs.


Alkimos segment production completed AUSTRALIA - The Alkimos Seawater Alliance recently completed precast segment production for tunnels in the Alkimos Seawater Desalination project in Perth. More than 31,000 segments were produced


for the 2.5km-long intake and 4km-long outfall tunnels. The casting team achieved up to 330 segments in a day. Marine tunnelling started in 2025. Alkimos SeaWater Alliance, led by Acciona


with Water Corporation and Jacobs Group Australia, is responsible for the design, build and operation of the water supply project.


WTC2026 - Muir Wood keynote speaker CANADA - The World Tunnel Congress 2026 organisers have announced that this year’s prestigious Muir Wood lecture will be given by Remo Grandori. Grandori has worked in TBM tunnelling


as tunnel contractor and TBM manufacturer with Seli. He has acted as consultant for TBM design and operation for clients and general contractors, and co-operated with manufacturers in developing new technologies and TBM types. Since 2020 Grandori has been director


of Webuild’s plant and equipment and TBM department. WTC2026 is in Montreal from 15-21 May.


Above: The rebuilt 5.6m-diameter Main Beam TBM, originally manufactured by Robbins in 1991, will bore through a mix of granitic rock beneath Ellicott City. PHOTO CREDIT: Robbins


UK - A Robbins TBM originally manufactured in 1991 has been rebuilt for a flood mitigation project in the state of Maryland. For the project the 5.6m-diameter Main Bean TBM is to bore through a mix of granitic rock beneath Ellicott City to construct the 1.5km-long Ellicott City North Tunnel. The tunnel is central to Howard


County’s Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan, a critical flood mitigation project in Howard County. It is designed to divert


stormwater run-off away from the historic downtown – an area hit by multiple catastrophic floods in recent years. The tunnel is to provide a


diversion flow rate of up to 98,000 litres of water per second during major storm events. The TBM was refurbished at


Robbins’ manufacturing facility in Solon, Ohio, achieved the substantial completion of the factory acceptance test (FAT) late last year. The build was undertaken in


partnership with contractor Kiewit. Robbins said the machine has a distinguished global track


record on tunnel projects. It has excavated tunnels totalling more than 18km and is now entering its next chapter as part of Maryland’s largest stormwater infrastructure project to date. “Robbins and Kiewit share a


long-standing partnership focused on quality TBM rebuilds and performance,” said Robbins vice- president Doug Harding. “We are marking not only the acceptance of the machine, but also a continued commitment to delivering durable tunnelling solutions that meet the evolving demands of major infrastructure projects.” Kiewit area manager Christof


Metzger said Robbins and Kiewit had worked together over the past year to achieve “this milestone of substantial completion of the FAT”. He added: “Synergy efforts


were required and well delivered to get the TBM to increased technical and safety standards.” Excavation is expected to start


in the coming months following launch shaft construction and TBM assembly on site. The TBM’s operational performance is be supported by Robbins’ field service team.


March 2026 | 9


Veteran Robbins TBM rebuilt for flood mitigation project


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