The first section of Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel is now complete with the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) breaking through.

After tunnelling under rail lines, stations, creeks and sewer mains, TBM Joan has broken through a 13 m deep shaft at Childers Street, Kensington.

This breakthrough marks a major milestone as it completes the journey from Arden Station to the tunnel’s western entrance.

Launched in August 2019, TBM Joan has travelled 1.2 km and installed 4,200 curved concrete segments – each weighing 4.5 t – to create 700 rings lining the tunnel’s walls.

The second TBM Meg is following close behind, travelling on a parallel route and is anticipated to break through in the coming weeks.

Each TBM is 120 m long, weighing 1,100 t and designed to complete drives of approximately 10 m/d, installing a total of 56,000 concrete segments to line the tunnels over the project.

For more information visit the Metro Tunnel website.

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