HERRENKNECHT ARRIVES IN NEW YORK.
A total of three hard rock machines are part of the extension of Manhattan's subway network: two Double Shield TBMs and one Gripper TBM. Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of New City, visited the S-476 jobsite on February 19, 2009.
Schwanau, Germany, July 29, 2009. Manhattan’s subways are bursting at the seams. Despite this, no significant extensions have been made for many years. Now, two large-scale projects are starting at the same time: the extension of the east-west Line 7 from Times Square in the east, close to the Hudson River, then towards the south, along 11th Avenue to 25th Street. And the new construction of the “Second Avenue” Line from 125th Street in the north, southwards to Hanover Square in the Financial District, i.e. almost to the southern tip of Manhattan. The tunnels for the two lines must be excavated as deep as possible, due to the extensive network of supply lines for water, gas, electricity and data which lie beneath the streets of New York in many layers. Another reason: both machines must cross beneath traffic tunnels. Furthermore, the impact on the traffic above the tunnel construction sites must remain as low as possible. This means that the trenchless construction method is a must.
Successfully through New York’s underground. The two Line 7 tunnels are being excavated by the S-467 and S-468 Herrenknecht Double Shields. The cutterhead of the S-467 was lowered ceremonially into the launch shaft close to the 25th Street / 11th Avenue crossing on February 19, 2009. The machine began work at the end of April, with the S-468 following at the end of June. The two machines, each with a diameter of 6.8 meters, worked their way through Manhattan’s hard underground, existing of granite, slate and serpentinite. The final station, near Times Square, is due to be opened in spring 2010. The fist construction phase of the “Second Avenue Subway”, which will reach from 96th Street to 63rd Street, is also waiting about to start. The S-434 Gripper TBM (Ø 6.6m) is currently being assembled in the launch shaft between 95th and 96th Street. The Hard Rock Machine will excavate two sections, of 2.4 and 1.5 kilometers in length, respectively, moving in a southerly direction; two short stretches between these sections will be excavated using the open construction method. Construction Phase I is to be completed by 2015.
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