SOUTH TUNNEL BORER OF METRO 4 ARRIVED TO RÁKÓCZI SQUARE – THE RENEWED TUNNELING TEAM HAS BROKEN A RECORD AGAIN

South TBM of metro 4 has arrived to the Rákóczi Square station and likely its north pair will arrive by the end of January also. Professionals of the STRABAG led BAMCO, proceeding with a very good average pace again, have completed the more than 700 m long tunnel stretch from Kálvin Square to Rákóczi Square within one and a half months. The TBM travelled an average of 15 meters per day, which is considered an outstanding performance in the ground of the Pest side, and even there was a section where 31 tunnel segments, i.e. more then 45 m of tunnel was built by the two boring machines in a single day.

The south TBM embarked from Kálvin Square in the middle of November and approached the Rákóczi Square station already before Christmas, but due to safety reasons and with regard to the Holidays it could proceed in the new year only. The TBMs performed extremely well despite the fact the tunnel section had several serious professional challenges. Over this section the two machines passed over the tunnels of metro 3, there was a part where only 1.5 m was between the old and new metro tunnels. An additional risk was that the borers had to pass near to more very old and sometimes protected buildings. Such were the Hungarian National Museum, or some buildings of the Hungarian Radio, which were monitored 24/7 with special attention during the construction. As a result of the careful planning and high quality work provision, no such building movement was noted by the experts during the tunneling works, which varied from as planned or would mean risk.

The north TBM proceeding in a good pace also will likely reach the Rákóczi Square by the end of January. Following the maintenance and preparation the south TBM is expected to set off in six weeks towards the second last, Népszínház Street station. According to the new works program provided in last autumn the TBMs will reach the Baross Square in August and respectively October 2010, however, at the Pest side the tunneling work is proceeding in a greater pace, than as planned, with breaking more records. Provided the current traveling pace could be maintained until the end, the DBR is hopeful that the tunneling may be completed in June and respectively July over the first section.

DBR Metro Project Directorate