The TBM, named Delia after the first Peruvian woman to earn a degree in mining engineering at the National University of Engineering, excavated 720m to connect two stations on Line 2 and broke through at what will be Circunvalación Station. Delia and a second TBM will support the construction of 35 stations, 36 ventilation and emergency shafts and two train depots.
The US$3bn project, being built by Webuild in conjunction with local and European partners, includes the excavation of a 27km, 10.27m diameter tunnel to connect the ATE and Callao districts, and the construction of an 8km branch-off to Jorge Chávez International Airport, forming the first phase of Line 4
These two new lines for the city’s metro system will improve mobility across the city, one of the most congested in the world. They will allow for the transport of more than one million people a day through 10 districts, reducing commuting times between ATE and Callao from two hours 45 minutes to only 45 minutes.
The breakthrough was celebrated at an event attended by Peru’s President Pedro Castillo and Transport Minister Juan Silva. They emphasised the social benefits of expanding Lima’s metro system, which currently has only one line.
It is hoped that improving public transport across the city, and reducing commuting times, will increase productivity and economic well-being.
