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TBM completes drive on NZ’s Central Interceptor
Lyon-Turin contracts for client support FRANCE, ITALY - Two contract notices are out for project management support services to assist project owner TELT through to commissioning of the Lyon-Turin railway line. The first contract notice is for operational
management support, technical assistance during the design and installation phases of the systems, and preparations for the operation of the cross-border section of the new rail link. It is divided into three lots. Deadline for offers is 19 June. The Operational Management package
is to help with supervising schedules, financial monitoring, and interface co- ordination. Technical Project Management Support
Above: TBM ‘Hiwa-i-te-Rangi’ has completed boring on the 16.2km-long Central Interceptor wastewater tunnel in Auckland PHOTO CREDIT: WATERCARE
NEW ZEALAND - Tunneling has been completed on Auckland’s Central Interceptor. TBM ‘Hiwa-i-te-Rangi’ broke into a shaft at Point Erin Reserve, Herne Bay, at the end of March. The TBM was launched on the
16.2km-long tunnel from MÄngere Wastewater Treatment Plant in July 2021. The 200m-long Herrenknecht TBM has traveled under Manukau Harbour, across the city and laid more than 10,000 precast concrete rings to build New Zealand’s longest wastewater tunnel. The rings are coated with a plastic liner to protect against the corrosive effects of wastewater, to ensure the tunnel lasts 100 years. Client Watercare’s Chief Program
Delivery Officer, Shayne Cunis, said the breakthrough was a huge milestone and testament to the skills of the tunneling team provided by the contractor, the Ghella Abergeldie JV. “The tunnelers have worked 24
hours per day, six days a week to build the tunnel. This is world class engineering, and it’s been completed safely, economically and on time, which is rare for any major infrastructure project,” said. Cunis. He added: “The TBM has
been through 10 shafts, but breakthroughs never get old, and
we’ll always remember this final one. I am incredibly proud of the 600 staff who’ve worked on this project.” Ghella Abergeldie JV’s Project
Director, Francesco Saibene, said the Central Interceptor was the longest tunnel Ghella had built with a single TBM and it rated highly among other international infrastructure projects because of the technical complexities. “We had a number of challenges
to overcome, including crossing the Manukau Harbour and tunneling just 15m below the seabed, as well as tunneling 110m deep below the Hillsborough Ridge, Mount Roskill,” he said. “We did all this despite the
Covid-19 pandemic, skills shortages of skills, hyperinflation and major storms. We are very proud of our team.” The new large-diameter tunnel
will continue to be connected to the existing wastewater network. Once the NZ$1.6 billion (US$950
million) project and associated work in Herne Bay is completed in 2028, it will reduce 80% of wet weather overflows into streams along the tunnel catchment and improve water quality at beaches. It will also cater for future urban growth and create a more resilient wastewater network.
will provide engineering assistance during design and oversee installation of the railway and technical systems Support for future management and
operation of the line is also planned, with the assistance of a shadow operator, or virtual infrastructure manager. It will support TELT to organize and train operations teams, manage traffic, safety, asset oversight and maintenance. The second contract notice, open for
submissions until 17 June, is for support on transport economics and socio-economic assessments.
TBM start on Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel CHINA - The TBM that will bore one of the world’s longest underwater road tunnels has been launched in China. TBM ‘Jianghai’ will construct the Haitai
Yangtze River Tunnel in Jiangsu. The tunnel is a key project for a major trans-river road link under China’s longest river, connecting Haimen in the city of Nantong with Taicang in the city of Suzhou. The TBM has a maximum excavation
diameter of 16.6m. It is approximately 145m long and weighs 5,000 tons. ‘Jianghai’ was designed and developed by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corp (CRCHI) in collaboration with China Railway 14th Bureau Group. Stretching approximately 39.07km
in total, the tunnel includes an 11.18km underwater section, with 9.3km to be excavated by TBM. The tunnel alignment travels through
complex geological formations beneath the riverbed, including layers of silt and fine sand. It will reach a maximum depth of 75m.
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