Milly the Muncher Cruncher began her 2.5km journey under the River Thames on 11 July, signalling the start of tunnelling on Section 2 of the UK’s Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) under London. The Hochtief/Murphy JV is operating the 8.16m full-face slurry TBM. She is expected to bore at rates of 85m-100m per week, through alluvium, terrace gravels and chalk, placing 33,000 concrete rings as she goes. The fully pressurised head is designed to withstand 4.5bar, sufficient for the 40m tunnelling depth.
More details in August’s T&TI.
