This 9-kilometer-long double-tube tunnel is the core of the Metro Tunnel railway project and is expected to be completed in July this year. The train is expected to run on this new line ahead of schedule. According to a report by the “Pioneer Sun” on January 15th, the roadheader of this A$13.7 billion project is rapidly operating between South Yarra and the CBD at a speed of about 100 meters per week to cope with the extremely challenging Underground environment. Anzac Station is located 22 meters underground near the Shrine of Remembrance. During the reporter’s exclusive visit to Anzac Station, he saw that the tunnel boring machine (TBM) Millie was moving in the direction of the Yarra River and will pass to the Yarra River in April.
According to this construction speed, the project leader said that tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will complete the project by July to build a double-tube tunnel between South Yarra and Kensington, as well as five new underground railway stations. Once the core tunnel is completed, cross-channels and emergency exits will be constructed every 244 meters of the tunnel, and then tracks will be laid and eventually electrified by 2025 or earlier. Paul Thomas, deputy director of tunnels and stations at Rail Projects Victoria, said that the project is progressing steadily and praised the quality of the work of the CYP consortium.
He said: “A tunnel boring machine (TBM) can achieve about 100 meters of continuous advancement per week. In this case, it is quite good. We expect that all operations will be completed by July. This depends on the current construction speed. Of course, it also lies in our in-depth understanding of the geological conditions that may be encountered near completion.” Last year, due to a taxpayer-funded cost overrun plan, the project added A$2.74 billion to the original budget of A$11 billion. Still operating normally.
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