HS2 Completes 8km Tunnel Drive Beneath London, Achieving Major Construction Milestone

HS2 has achieved a significant milestone by completing an 8km tunnel drive beneath London. Engineers celebrated this breakthrough, marking progress in high-speed rail construction and modern infrastructure development. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

HS2 Marks Key Milestone in Tunnel Construction

Engineers from Skanska Costain Strabag JV (SCS) and HS2 celebrated a major achievement with the completion of an 8km tunnel drive beneath London. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Sushila broke through into a reception chamber at Green Park Way vent shaft in Ealing on December 19, 2024.

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This chamber was filled with foam concrete to manage high water pressure during excavation. This method allowed the TBM to maintain stable pressure levels while applying sealant, preventing water ingress effectively. The TBM will be extracted after depressurizing the chamber.

HS2 Advances High-Speed Rail with Tunnel Breakthrough

HS2 engineers have made notable progress in constructing the 13.5km twin-bore Northolt Tunnel, linking Old Oak Common to West Ruislip. Sushila, one of four TBMs, completed its section first, while the others continue operations toward completion in 2025.

Since launching in October 2022, Sushila excavated 1.2 million tonnes of earth and installed 4,217 tunnel rings. Excavated soil is being repurposed into wildlife meadows, supporting HS2’s environmental goals for sustainability and biodiversity enhancement.

HS2 aims to deliver modern high-speed transportation, transforming travel infrastructure across London and beyond. The project underscores advanced engineering, environmental responsibility, and urban connectivity improvements.

Source, photo: www.newcivilengineer.com

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