Excavation has been completed on the first tunnel to be constructed in the UK using the pre-vaulting method. The Taylor Woodrow/Perforex JV broke through on the $48m Ramsgate Harbour Approach Road Scheme Tunnel at the end of September 1999.
The JV has been using the pre-vaulting method for the first time in the UK for construction of the 13.5m span, 800m long tunnel. The machine broke through into an NATM built reception chamber towards the eastern end of the scheme.
During the course of works, over 400 000 tonnes of chalk have been excavated by ‘Nora la Bora’, the 180 tonne tunnelling machine. Project Manager John Keys, Taylor Woodrow/Perforex JV, told T&T International: "The tunnel breakthrough represents a significant milestone for the project, in terms of the programme, technical achievement and project innovation. The breakthrough is a credit to all those involved with the tunnel construction and the part they have played in making this phase of the construction a success as measured against our original partnering goals."
Remaining work on the scheme involves M&E installation and road surfacing before the opening to the public in spring 2000. The scheme carried out for the client, Kent County Council, under a partnering agreement was designed to remove port-related traffic from Ramsgate and thus alleviate congestion on the local road network.
