The laying of the longest tunnel on the British High-Speed Rail HS2 has reached a crucial milestone, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The laying of the longest tunnel on the British HSR

The tunnel boring machine (TBM) Florence completed the excavation of one of the shafts of the 16-kilometer Chiltern tunnel on February 27, 2024.

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This tunnel, reaching depths of up to 80 meters underground, overcomes numerous obstacles, including the M25 motorway, local railways, and the Misbourne River.

Work began in May 2021, and since then, TBM Florence and other similar machines have worked tirelessly to complete this important stage of HS2 construction.

In total, 10 complexes are involved in the construction, and TBM Cecilia is already preparing to complete the excavation of the second tunnel shaft in the coming weeks.

One of the key aspects of the project is the control of underground water levels and quality.

Observations of these parameters throughout the tunneling period have not revealed any unacceptable deviations, indicating the high level of professionalism and quality of work performed.

The excavation of rock amounts to an impressive volume of 3 million cubic meters.

These materials will be used for the reclamation of chalk grasslands covering an area of ​​127 hectares, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development.

The HS2 project not only modernizes infrastructure and improves the efficiency of the transportation system but also sets an example of innovative and environmentally sustainable approaches to large-scale construction.

Photo: HS2

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