By rosebell
Exacavation of the first kilometre of the main tunnel for Turin’s new sewer system has been completed.
Following arrival of TBM Gaia at the 1km mark on the 9.5km tunnel in previous week, Turin’s mayor, Stefano Lo Russo, and SMAT president Paolo Romano and CEO Armando Quazzo visited the construction site. The responsibility of building the project for SMAT, is up to Colmeto consortium of Ghella and Intinera.
As the new backbone of Turin’s sewage network, the Collettore Mediano di Torino,Turin Median Collector, is running parallel to the existing one and is going to extend 14km beneath Turin at a depth of 20m, linking the southern part near Moncalieri with the north-western area, and directing water flow to the Castiglione Torinese sewage treatment plant.
According to Paolo Romano: “We are particularly pleased with this first milestone, which confirms that we have overcome the initial challenges of the project and allows us to continue, as planned, with the construction of this new infrastructure, designed to protect the environment without causing significant disruption to traffic or commercial activities above ground.”
Being designed to install a ring lining composed of six reinforced concrete segments, the mix shield TBM Gaia has a diameter of 4.08m and a cutterhead with 18 disc cutters.
With a steadily progressing, this TBM began excavation on June 3 and was assembled at a depth of 20m. Operating in three shifts, it makes a daily advance of around 20m.
The infrastructure not only serves the city of Turin but also benefits 20 municipalities in the southern and western metropolitan areas: Beinasco, Bruino, Cambiano, Candiolo, Chieri Pessione, La Loggia, Moncalieri, Nichelino, Orbassano, Piobesi, Piossasco, Poirino, Riva di Chieri, Rivalta di Torino, Sangano, Santena, Trana, Trofarello, Villastellone, and Vinovo.
