Press Release Archives: 2010
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New Robbins Support System Gains Ground at West Qinling
Two 10.2 m (33.5 ft) machines are the first ever Robbins Main Beam TBMs with a redesigned ground support system replacing roof shield fingers. The TBMs were launched in June and July 2010 to bore the twin 16.6 km (10.3 mi) long West Qinling rail tunnels under high cover.
(July 22nd, 2010) -
Tunneling Complete for Robbins TBM at East Side Access
A Robbins Main Beam TBM, for the Dragados/Judlau JV, was the first of two machines to finish four rail tunnels below Manhattan’s Grand Central Station on June 2, 2010.
(June 29th, 2010) -
Forward Progress for Robbins TBM at Niagara
By June 2010, the world’s largest hard rock TBM had completed more than two-thirds of its headrace tunnel beneath Niagara Falls. Geologic conditions have largely determined the machine’s advance, from periodic stoppages to a world record month of 467 m (1,535 ft) in July 2009.
(June 21st, 2010) -
Robbins EPB Attains City-Wide Record in Chengdu
In March 2010, contractors celebrated a city-wide excavation record on China's Chengdu Metro, of 457.5 m (1,500 ft) in one month. The 6.26 m (20.5 ft) diameter Robbins EPB has excavated at rates of up to 24 m (79 ft) per day—faster than any of the 11 other TBMs working on the project.
(May 25th, 2010) -
Two Robbins EPBs Go Underground in Ancient Chinese City
New metro tunnels in Xi’an, one of China’s most ancient cities, will move commuter travel from surface streets to below ground. Two 6.2 m (20.3 ft) diameter Robbins EPBs are on track to bore under the 3,100 year old city, well known for its cultural artifacts including the terracotta warriors.
(April 30th, 2010) -
Robbins Single Shield Launched on Laotian Hydro Scheme
In February 2010, contractor CMC di Ravenna oversaw the launch of the first tunnel boring machine ever to excavate in Laos. The 7.6 m (25.1 ft) diameter Robbins Single Shield TBM is digging a new hydroelectric tunnel for the Theun Hinboun Expansion Project.
(March 11th, 2010) -
Robbins Main Beams Burrow Under Low Cover
Two 6.4 m (21.0 ft) diameter Robbins Main Beam TBMs were launched in winter 2009-2010 beneath Chongqing, China--a mega-city of over 35 million people. The two machines are excavating twin 12 km (7.5 mi) long tunnels for Line 6 of the Chongqing Metro, and are the first hard rock TBMs to be used in the city.
(March 4th, 2010) -
Robbins Commissioning Ceremony Celebrates Triple TBMs
On February 2, 2010, a mix of contractors, reporters, and government officials gathered to mark the assembly of three Robbins EPBs. The ceremony, held in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA, culminated in the cutterhead turning of one fully assembled, 8.93 m (29.3 ft) diameter machine.
(February 12th, 2010) -
Onsite Assembly Fits Up with Robbins EPB
In January 2010, Mexico City officials celebrated the completion of the country’s largest ever TBM with a cutterhead turning ceremony. The 10.2 m (33.5 ft) diameter Robbins EPB will begin excavation in the first week of February after just eight weeks of assembly.
(January 25th, 2010)