With a breakthrough, launch and relaunch, Lovat has seen progress achieved in projects underway with a range of EPBMs in Istanbul, Spain and England.
In Istanbul, the Gulermak-Dogus JV holed through at Kirazli station with a 6.5m diameter mixed face machine (RME257SE Series 23100) on its 1.3km long drive on the metro contract.
Launched from Bagcilar station to drive through clays, silts and sands with EPB pressures up to 5bar, the machine achieved advance rates of 31m/day, 154m/week and 412m/month, respectively.
The JV previously excavated twin 2.95km tunnels on the metro terminating at Bagcilar using the RME257E Series 17900. In total, Lovat has supplied the JV with three machines for work on the metro.
In Spain, local contractor Sando Construcciones has launched a refurbished 4.7m diameter EPBM in Coslada to bore a 2.25km long sewer tunnel through gypsum. The second, 1.4km bore will see the RMW185SE Series 20202 drive through silty sand and fractured gypsum.
The Lovat ME140SE Series 23000 machine being operated by UK contractor Morgan Est has started work on the second phase of the Croydon cable tunnel project in south London. Geology along the next 7km of excavation comprises fractured chalk with flint beds.
