March Tunnel Progress

C937 - Breakthrough of TBM 2 at Chinatown on Mar 24

C917A

Closure of centre carriageway to conduct SI

C917A
S602 has resumed tunnelling though the battle against ground is not in their favour. Downstream along Maple Ave MacDow is conducting SI along lane 3 in anticipation of granite currently challenged by its sister TBM.

S603 at 710 rings (Mar 20, ~72% completed)
TBM has slowed down to 1 ring per day. It is crossing the 2nd diversion canal at the moment, concluding the end of the section weakened by granite. Cutterhead is being replaced every 3-4 days. This is alike the challenge faced by STEC's TBM1 near Stevens station last year. The tunnel route is expected to be trouble-free from here till breakthrough point at SAV, exception of another possible section of granite lying below the junction of Sixth Avenue.

C918A

S605 crossing the canal beneath the Farrer Flyover

C918A
S605 at 446 rings (Mar 19, ~66% completed)
TBM has paced down. Breakthrough together with S603 should only take place in May.

Remaining gantry crane standing on site

 STEC has decommission 2 of its gantry cranes at Newton the past week. The remaining one along the BP tunnel should be taken down by the end of March. Backfilling of the shafts are starting.

With thanks to Stefano for his contribution.