NEWS |


HS2 readies TBM storage, Ph2 legs dropped


KL-Singapore rail RFI


MALAYSIA – Request for Information (RoI) documents for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (KL-SG HSR) project can be purchased up to mid-November following an extension. The government’s project delivery


vehicle, MyHSR Corp, extended the process after strong interest in the project at briefing in late July. In addition to representatives from Malaysian companies, the RFI briefing was attended by companies from the UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore. The project will be a design-finance-


build-operate-transfer model. The mid-November deadline for


Above: Construction progress at HS2’s Old Oak Common station, in London PHOTO CREDIT: HS2


UK – With much changing for the HS2 high-speed rail plans in UK in recent months, on Phase 1 the contractors are working on the logistics of storing two TBMs underground until the government gives the go-ahead for the Euston Tunnel, in London. For Phase 2’s northern legs,


which have been in planning, the government has already made its call – cancellation – shocking the industry. The government is turning over the funds to a mix of transport initiatives in the region. HS2’s Phase 1 was to have high-


speed trains run between London and Birmingham. Works have been well underway for some years, including major tunnelling. Journeys north would start from Euston station and go west, through Old Oak Common station at the edge of the capital, and then onward. But, in March, the government


changed its plans for Phase 1, effectively making it a Birmingham to Old Oak Common link, and leaving what would become of the operations at Euston station to future decisions. It was more certain about


the northern end’s planned extension – the Phase 2 legs (between Birmingham, Crewe and Manchester) – for which a two-year


8 | November 2023


delay was announced. Rising costs were blamed. More studies were needed. Soon after, another southern end


decision came – work on Euston Station was also deferred, due to costs. But preparation works for launch of the two TBMs for the Euston Tunnel, linking Old Oak Common to the station, could continue. Then, most recently, the focus


went back to the northern end – the Phase 2 legs were cancelled. Totally. The government wasn’t finished with Euston station either – it would be smaller and need private funds injected to help finish the works. Meanwhile, the preparations for


Euston Tunnel could go on. For, in 2024, two Herrenknecht


TBMs for the Euston Tunnel are to be lowered into the eastern end of a box structure at Old Oak Common. It is being built by HS2’s station construction partner, BBVS. The east section of the box is


to be handed over to the London Tunnels contractor, SCS JV for the TBM preparations. Access will be a challenge with the box located between rail lines and a train depot. An HS2 spokesperson said. “The


Euston TBMs will be lowered and the box will then be handed back to BBVS construction work above the launch chamber.”


purchase of the RFI documents is also the closing date for the submission of concept proposals for the KL-SG HSR project.


MyHSR said the high-speed line was


more than just a transport solution – that it will form the major backbone between the Klang Valley and the southern corridor of Peninsular Malaysia, spurring economic development in intermediate cities and industrial parks. Malaysia and Singapore agreed the


project in 2016 for completion by 2026, but in 2018 put it on hold until then end of 2020, but then jointly terminated the scheme as no agreement had been reached on changes proposed by Malaysia. Last year the project was revived.


Melbourne readies for TBMs AUSTRALIA – The first of two TBMs to bore the North East Link tunnels are set to arrive soon on site in Melbourne, Victoria, after transport by ship from Europe. The 4000-tonne, 15.6m diameter


Herrenknecht TBMs are to be launched in mid-2024 to bore 6.5km-long twin road tunnels, from Watsonia to Bulleen. Major work sites being prepared for the


TBMs include a 200m-long tunnel launch area on the eastern side of Greensborough Road and a 13m-high shed to store concrete segments. In October 2021, Spark consortium


(Webuild, GS Engineering and Construction, CPB Contractors, China Construction Oceania, Ventia, Capella Capital, John Laing Investments, DIF and Pacific Partnerships) was awarded the contract to build, operate and maintain the tunnels and key interchanges. North East Link is Victoria’s largest road project and is to be completed in 2028.


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