Hs2 starts London tunnel drive (Video)

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A milestone has been reached as the Hs2 as the first of a pair of TBM’s Tunnel Boring Machines driving twin-bore tunnels from West Ruislip to Greenford.

The joint project that has been completed by Skanska Costain Strabag JV will be the first London tunnel being bored it has been named after teacher Sushila Hirani who switched on the 2,000t, 140m long machine on its 5-mile journey.

The TBM named Sushila, it was named after local teacher Sushila Hirani, who attended the launch event. IT will be joined shortly by another TBM named after 18th century astronomer Caroline Herschel.

In 2023, another pair of Tunnel Boring Machines will launch from the Victoria Road crossover and ventilation shaft site in west London near Old Oak Common station towards West Ruislip.

 

Sushila is the first of six TBMs that will tunnel 26 miles under the capital as the Hs2 price continues to roll on with managing director James Richardson of Skanska Costain STRABAG JV saying that:“Today we start one of the most complex parts of HS2, tunnelling from here at West Ruislip towards Euston beneath one of the busiest cities in the world.

“The huge team effort has enabled some of the most advanced TBMs ever built to be launched.

“Our team has brought together world class skills along with developing many new people to the industry working on this crucial national infrastructure project.”

“Sushila” is the fourth of 10 TBM to be launched that will eventually bore 64 miles of tunnels between London and the West Midlands.