HS2 Completes First Tunnel Cross Passages
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from High Speed Two.
This is the first paragraph.
As the tunnelling machines under the Chilterns approach the four-mile mark, HS2 completes the first of thirty-eight underground connections between the northbound and southbound tunnels.
This video from High Speed Two, shows the construction of the cross tunnels.
There appears to have been a resurgence of traditional tunneling methods, albeit it with the assistance of modern mechanised tools.
In London recently, these tunnels have been dug without the use of expensive tunnel boring machines.
- The running and station tunnels for the Bank Station Upgrade.
- The tunnel for the Paddington Bakerloo Line Link.
I suspect there will a lot more dug traditionally in the future.
Bank And Moorgate
The map from cartometro.com shows the plethora of lines at Moorgate and Bank stations.
Note.
- Moorgate station is served by the Circle, Elizabeth, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern and Northern City Lines.
- Bank station is served by the Central, Circle, District, Northern and Waterloo & City Lines.
- Bank station is also one terminus of the DLR.
I believe it would be possible to dig a long pedestrian tunnel with a travelator, between Moorgate and Bank stations under Moorgate, which connects the two stations.
City Thameslink Station And St. Paul’s
I discussed this in A Pedestrian Connection Between City Thameslink Station And St. Paul’s Tube Station.
The Anonymous Widower 
TBM’s cost many millions and are only cost effective if you have a decent run of plain tunnel, and an easy way to get the TBM assembled and started (e.g. a portal at one end)
Comment by R. Mark Clayton | August 30, 2022 |
Well it looks like NATM/Sprayed Concrete Lining which has been applied in Crossrail walkways, Jubilee Line Extension and other LUL station redevelopments. Traditional? I suppose it is. In any case I think it’s a very appropriate method for ground conditions like this.
Comment by fammorris | August 30, 2022 |
Crossrail walkways also make extensive use of Laing’s process of making 3D jelly moulds for casting concrete.
I describe it here.
Comment by AnonW | August 30, 2022 |
I have just come across a revolutionary way of tunnelled called hyperTunnel. The first demonstration of this technique involves Network Rail.
https://railway-news.com/hypertunnels-network-rail-project-produces-first-underground-structure-built-by-robots/#:~:text=British%20technology%20company%2C%20hyperTunnel%20has,a%20completely%20automated%20construction%20method.
Here’s a video explaining the process.
Comment by fammorris | October 21, 2022 |