By Lynda Myer
Following breakthrough at the Long Itchington Wood Tunnel south portal in Warwickshire, HS2’s first twin-bore tunnel has been completed.
Being commissioned on the second bore in November 2022, TBM Dorothy completed the 1.6km journey in four months and installed 791 concrete rings, each made from eight 2m-wide segments weighing up to 8 tones.
In order to reassembling the 125m-long TBM for its second journey, Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) dismantled AND returned it to the north portal after the first excavation was completed in July 2022.
Congratulating the BBV tunneling team, David Speight, HS2 Ltd’s delivery director for main works civils on Phase One said: “This is a key moment in HS2’s operation in the Midlands, which is now reaching peak momentum with over 400 businesses in the region already winning work, and 9,000 jobs supported.”
He also added: “We’re looking forward to celebrating more milestones as work gathers pace on key structures such as the Delta Junction viaducts, Birmingham Curzon Street station, Interchange station and Washwood Heath Depot, creating more opportunities for local businesses and people.”
According to Michael Dyke, chief executive officer for Balfour Beatty HS2 Major Projects: “The 400-strong project team deserved a special mention for safely delivering this incredible feat of engineering.”
While the team’s work during the next few weeks will be starting the dismantling process of the shield from the TBM, the rest of the machine is due to be pulled back to the start of the tunnel and disassembled, ready for transportation to East Birmingham. It will be fitted with a new shield before starting a 5.6km tunnel bore in early 2024, between Water Orton in Warwickshire and Washwood Heath in Birmingham.
