Crossrail launches its smallest TBM
23 June 2014Crossrail has launched its smallest tunnelling machine Molley to build a new Thames Water sewer in west London. The 1.45m diameter TBM is 3.3m long.
Molley will build a new 564m long tunnel to divert a section of the Great Western Road Sewer between Westbourne Park station and Basing Street, under Tavistock Road.
The sewer needs to be redirected as the Crossrail project will be lowering the mainline tracks near Westbourne Park to accommodate its trains running into Paddington, so impacting on the existing sewer.
The TBM is too small to accommodate workers so is controlled remotely from the surface. Works are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
