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HS2 unveils Bromford Tunnel TBM and more


Andy Alder awarded BTS James Clark Medal UK – Andy Alder, Thames Tideway programme director and Jacobs vice- president and head of major programmes, UK and Europe, has been awarded this year’s James Clark Medal by the British Tunnelling Society. The BTS awarded Alder the medal in


recognition of his understanding, supportive and inspiring leadership to the tunnelling profession. The James Clark Medal is the highest


honour awarded by the BTS. It recognises major contributions towards tunnelling and the tunnelling industry, innovation and/or responsibility for a major tunnelling project. The medal perpetuates the memory of James Clark, who worked for Charles Brand & Sons on many well-known projects.


Above: Bromford TBM unveiled for HS2 amongst other progress PHOTO CREDIT: HS2


UK – In a range of progress steps, the HS2 high-speed rail project recently unveiled the TBM that will dig the Bromford Tunnel, between Water Orton in North Warwickshire and Washwood Heath, in Birmingham; completed the western portal of Copthall Green Tunnel, in London; and, performed first major concrete pour for the west box at Old Oak Common station, also in London. The 5.6km-long Bromford Tunnel


is the fourth twin-bore tunnel to be started on HS2 and is . The tunnel will take trains into Birmingham as they approach Curzon Street Station in the heart of the city. The 8.62m-diameter TBM,


operated by HS2 contractor Balfour Beatty Vinci JV, will take around 16 months to complete each bore of the twin-tube. It will be launched from a 160m long x 30m wide x 15m deep underground structure, which forms the east portal of the tunnel. In London, Skanska Costain


Strabag JV has completed the western portal of HS2’s Copthall Green Tunnel, which is an 880m-long reinforced concrete structure located between Northolt Tunnel and the Colne Valley Viaduct. The JV has been completing


works with its sub-contractor Kilnbridge. So far, the western portal walls, spanning 110m,


6 | July 2023


have been completed, along with a further 240m of walls for the tunnel. The team initially excavated


around 20m down from ground level, before installing piles for the foundations of the tunnel. The structure is then being constructed with a base slab, walls and a roof. To create the roof of the box tunnel, a 40m-long temporary deck is positioned between the box walls, all supported by a moving gantry frame or ‘roof traveller’. Also in London, the first base


slab pour was completed at Old Oak Common station, at the 850m-long west box which reaches 20m below ground. The box will house six platforms and comes after approximately 80,000m3


of


excavation. In March, the government


announced it was delaying some aspects of HS2 because of inflationary pressure and increased project costs. It said it was committed to HS2 trains eventually terminating at London’s Euston Station, but for now was prioritising the service between Old Oak Common and Birmingham. In April, HS2 confirmed that


tunnelling to Euston Station had been deferred although the preparation works for the launch of the two TBMs for the Euston Tunnel would continue.


Aecom, Aurecon JV on Sydney Western Harbour tunnel AUSTRALIA – A joint venture of consultants Aecom and Aurecon is to provide the detailed design for Sydney’s Western Harbour Tunnel on the basis of using TBMs instead of an immersed tube tunnel. The contract was awarded by Acciona


Construction Australia, which is delivering stage two of Sydney’s third harbour crossing. Following the acceptance of an


alternative client reference design, the Aecom, Aurecon JV will deliver a detailed design of the Western Harbour Tunnel that avoids dredging by using TBMs instead of an immersed tube tunnel. “The improved design and construction


method is an excellent example of industry collaboration and is expected to deliver significant reductions to the amount of steel and concrete required, as well as other environmental benefits, compared to the original reference design,” said Richard Barrett, chief executive of Aecom’s Australia and New Zealand region. The Aus$4.24bn (US$2.89bn/£2.36bn)


Western Harbour Tunnel will provide a western bypass of the central business district (CBD), and take pressure off the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel, and Anzac Bridge. The project will connect to WestConnex


at the Rozelle Interchange, cross underneath Sydney Harbour between Birchgrove and Waverton, and connect with the Warringah Freeway near North Sydney via a 6.5km link.


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