“The work has truly begun on taking HS2 northwards,” transport secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement. “The tunnels these machines dig will ensure the benefits of our new high-capacity, high-speed railway run to the great cities of the North and Midlands, forging stronger connections in our country, boosting connectivity and skills opportunities and transforming our transport links.”
The first two TBMs will be operated by HS2’s main works contractor, Align, a joint venture formed of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick.
Designed for the mix of chalk and flints under the Chilterns, the identical TBMs will dig separate tunnels for north and southbound trains. The cutter head will rotate at up to 3.2rpm with the machine expected to cover 15.6m per day.
HS2 contractors begin work on UK’s longest rail viaduct
1/4 HS2 Colne Valley viaduct
2/4 HS2 Colne Valley viaduct
3/4 HS2 Colne Valley viaduct
4/4 HS2 Colne Valley viaduct
HS2 Ltd’s main works contractor Align JV – made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick – has begun work on the UK’s longest rail viaduct.
The JV has begun boring work for almost 300 piles that will form the foundations for the Colne Valley Viaduct.
Architecturally designed by Grimshaw Architects, the 3.4km will become the UK’s longest rail viaduct; almost 1km longer than the Forth Rail Bridge.
The viaduct itself will carry the railway around 10m above the surface of the River Colne, Grand Union Canal and nearby lakes.
HS2 starts work on Britain s longest rail bridge - World News sina.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sina.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The ambitious HS2 landscape project on Hertfordshire s doorstep
The plans represent the biggest single landscape and habitat creation project within HS2’s Green Corridor programme
Ariel view of the Chiltern Tunnel South Portal (Image: HS2)
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