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Tunnel Boring Machine delivery

ALS Hull has recently completed the delivery of TBM ”Busy Lizzie“ back to manufacturer Herrenknecht, after completion of the Lee Tunnel Project.

24th July 2015

A contract which started back in March 2014 with the initial movement of standard trailers, then progressing into the larger TBM sections as detailed below.

1 x Shield Left Section L:7.10m. x W:6.60m. x H:3.50m., Weight: 97,000kg.

1 x Shield Bottom Section L:7.10m. x W:6.80m. x H:3.50m., Weight: 115,000kg.

1 x Shield Right Section L:7.10m. x W:6.60m. x H:3.50m., Weight: 93,000kg.

1 x Shield Top Section L:7.10m. x W:5.30m. x H:2.80m., Weight: 75,000kg.

1 x Cutterhead L:9.00m. x W:5.00m. x H:2.00m., Weight: 80,000kg.

1 x Main Drive L:5.20m. x W:5.00m. x H:3.50m., Weight: 135,000kg.

Due to the sizes of the TBM sections, the Highways Agency would only grant permission to Tilbury Port. As part of the planning process, extensive route surveys were carried out by the ALS Project Manager from Abbey Mills Pumping Station to Tilbury Docks prior to movement.

To assist with the movement, the following services were utilised: -
- Police
- Street furniture removal teams
- Parking suspensions

After many months of planning, the transport was carried out over 3 separate weekday evenings, with the 6 TBM sections self-unloaded onto stools & consolidated at Tilbury Port.

For the next leg of the journey ALS contracted a heavy lift crane ( LG 1750 ) to lift the 6 components to a suitable vessel (chartered by ALS Project Team) which once completed made the short journey to Rotterdam where the TBM sections were again lifted, but this time to a river barge due to the low water levels along the River Rhine. The barge journey came to an end at the heavy lift terminal in the close proximity of the consignee with final delivery back to the manufacturer via a short distance by road.

The Lee Tunnel is part of the Thames Tideway Scheme and runs from Abbey Mills Pumping Station down to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works under the London Borough of Newham. The project commenced in 2010 and will prevent more than 16 million tonnes of sewage mixed with rainwater overflowing into the River Lee from the Victorian sewer network when it becomes overloaded.

Click link for further information regarding the Lee Tunnel Project.

or contact: Katrina Coatsworth
Marketing Assistant
Email: katrina.coatsworth@als-europe.com
Tel: 01482 796214

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