By Lynda Myer
Being designed for multipurpose activities, such as the dismantling and collection of ventilation ducts, and the removal of pipes using a magnetic lifting system, a service dismantling gantry for HS2 has completed its Factory Acceptance Test at Kern Tunneltechnik’s facility in Switzerland.
The elements of this gantry are rubber wheel drive units and rotatable legs that allow for reconfiguration to navigate obstacles in tunnels, while it has been engineered for multiple situations.
The responsibility of extending this feature was up to Kern’s client and HS2 main works contractor, Align – a joint venture of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick.
Kern says: “The dismantling gantry sets a new standard in operational flexibility and efficiency and marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards delivering ground breaking solutions to the infrastructure and tunnelling sectors.”
Align is the main works contractor for HS2’s C1 package comprising 21.6km of the new rail line. It includes the twin-bore 16km Chiltern tunnel, five vent shafts and 3.37km of viaducts.
Passing through the Chiltern tunnel, in February TBM Florence completed a journey that has taken nearly three years. TBM Cecilia is expected to break through in the coming weeks.
