By rosebell
As a construction update stated, the majority of HS2’s deep tunnel drives and earthworks have been completed that reveals 70% of twin-bore tunnels have been dug, representing 61km of the 88.5km being built for the high-speed railway.
While the total tunnel drives have are 12, five of them been completed and the most recent was the breakthrough by TBM Sushila, the first of four TBMs constructing the Northolt Tunnel in north-west London, which finished her drive on December 19.
As the longest and deepest on the 225km line between London and Birmingham, the 16km Chiltern Tunnel also had the breakthrough earlier this year.
Additionally, the six cut-and-cover or green tunnels saw advances, whereas in November the 700m tunnel near Burton Green in Warwickshire passed the halfway mark.
Also HS2 continues to encounter significant challenges, particularly over cost despite the recent progress and its chief executive Mark Wild, who joined the company in December, is leading a wide-ranging review of the program which will be published this year.
He said: “HS2 represents a significant investment in Britain’s future and in the last month I’ve been inspired by the hugely impressive feats of civil engineering taking shape right along the route. New railways provide better journeys and they boost economic growth by fuelling investment in communities and businesses.”
“The prize is clear. However, the programme is in a very serious situation that requires a fundamental reset to enable it to be delivered to the lowest feasible cost. I am committed to delivering this reset over the coming year to ensure the railway can be brought into service safely and efficiently,” added Mark.
While UK is going to celebrate 200 years of the railway, HS2 says the bicentenary provides an historical backdrop to continuing construction of HS2, which is the latest and most advanced addition to the country’s rail network.
The number of people who are currently employed on the project is 31,000 and 350 construction sites are active along the length of the route.
This year HS2 expects to achieve several construction landmarks. They include completion of:
- excavation of the 13.5km Northolt Tunnel – the second longest on the line – with three TBMs breaking through, in addition to the one in December;
- both bores of the 5.6km Bromford Tunnel – a critical section of the railway which will carry the line in and out of Birmingham;
- the base slab of Old Oak Common’s underground station box, alongside the start of work on the station platforms;
- the Copthall tunnel – a 900m green tunnel on the outskirts of London between the Northolt Tunnel and the Colne Valley Viaduct.
