On February 3, 2025 (the 6th day of the Lunar New Year), the Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board (MRB), together with the Consultant and contractors, started drilling the tunnel using the second TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) named "Bold" for the underground section of the Hanoi Pilot Urban Railway Project, Nhon - Hanoi Station section.
This is a special event, celebrating the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - February 3, 2025).
Previously, the first TBM named “Than Thuong” started drilling the tunnel on July 30, 2024. To date, the first TBM of the Project has drilled 985m of tunnel.
Like the "Speedy" TBM, the "Bold" TBM will start drilling the second tunnel from Station S9 - Kim Ma at a depth of 17.8m, the machine will accelerate to a standard speed of about 10m/day to reach the next stations.
According to the plan, the total time from the start of drilling the first TBM until the completion of TBM No. 2 is 16 months. After finishing drilling at station S12, the TBMs will be dismantled at this station, the auxiliary equipment system will be pulled back and dismantled at Station S9 - Kim Ma.
"The commencement of tunnel boring with TBM today is an important milestone for the underground section of the Project. During the operation of TBM 1, we encountered many difficulties in geological conditions.
However, through the drilling process of TBM 1, the contractor has collected sufficient geological data as a basis for adjusting TBM 2, to ensure the operation of TBM 2 more smoothly and effectively," said Mr. Nguyen Ba Son - Deputy Head of Hanoi Railway Management Board.
Up to now, the overall construction progress of CP03 package - Tunnel and underground stations has reached 53.46%; Underground ramp has been completed 75.66%; Station S9 has been completed 50.48%; Vertical shaft has been completed 24.09%; Tunnel route has reached 47.41%; Stations S10, S11, S12 (including lane change and Garage) have been completed 64.44%, 58.1%, 58.4% respectively.
According to Mr. Park Young Ill - Project Director, Hyundai & Ghella Joint Venture (HGU, main contractor for CP03 package), the experts mobilized for the project are all experienced in managing and operating TBM tunnel boring work at many large-scale urban railway projects around the world.
"With a deep understanding of advanced tunneling technology and practical skills honed over many years, they will directly supervise and coordinate the entire construction process. Every stage will be implemented according to a scientific, methodical and professional process, from preparation, machine operation to quality control and labor safety," informed Mr. Park Young Ill - Project Director, Hyundai & Ghella Joint Venture.
The subcontractor directly operating the tunnel drilling by TBM is FECON Joint Stock Company.
In addition to the experience that FECON has accumulated and learned from the Metro Line 1 project in Ho Chi Minh City (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien), at the Nhon - Hanoi Railway Station metro project, this contractor has technical support from the team of experts from Tunnel Pro, a leading TBM construction unit from Italy and a team of experts from the International Underground Construction Association.
During the construction process, the Project uses a geotechnical monitoring system to ensure monitoring and tracking of ground movement and subsidence.
Tunnel boring construction will be carried out with caution and strict supervision to ensure safety for existing structures and quality for the construction under way.
It is expected that the underground section will be completed in 2027, after which the entire urban railway line No. 3, Nhon - Hanoi station section, will be put into operation, contributing to changing the appearance of urban traffic in the capital, conveniently connecting areas and promoting green and sustainable development.
