By james art 
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) has announced that the Thimble Shoal parallel tunnel project in the US state has hit a major stage.
A 13.1 m in diameter.
CBBT said TBM with a length of 325 feet will complete the last phase of extraction after temporary reinforcing supports and steel beam are removed from the receiving wall.
The $ 756 million tunnel project includes the construction of $ 5,700 a bored tunnel connecting two south of the existing Chesapeake Bay bridge tunnels. The structure connects the area of Norfolk/Virginia beach with the east coast of Virginia.
CBBT Commission Chairman Fred Stant said: “The parallel tunnel is a key component to enhance the safety and efficiency of this vital transport connection and demonstrates the CBBT committee committee to increase infrastructure and guarantee the long-term resistance to Chesapee Bay BRIDGE BRIDGE resistance. “
The boring tunnel for this project was designed and built by Germany -based Herrenknecht.
With a 43 -foot cutter and a length of 308 feet, the chassis dug about 500,000 cubic yards soil and installed nearly 10,000 concrete segments, each weighing 10 tonnes.
The design contractor for this project is a joint venture Chesapeake Tunnel (CTJV), a partnership between Dragados USA and Schiavone Construction Company.
Both companies are part of Spain -based ACS Dragados, a global underground construction company. ACS Dragados has received over 550 underground projects and has completed more than 940 miles of tunnels under different geological conditions.
The yield for a 1.6 km two -lane tunnel began in February 2023. In May 2023, sheds encountered an anchor on a large ship dating back to the beginning of 1900 and made in England.
The blockage caused an eight -month delay for safe removal. Tunnel resumed last May, with progress an average of 15.2 million daily.
CBBT CEO Jeff Holland said: “This breakthrough is the culmination of extensive planning, the precision of engineering and complex construction work during the planned and unplanned tunnel extraction phases.
“We especially praise the work crews that operated in a high -risk environment to eliminate the obstruction of the anchor without injury or loss of life.”
CTJV will begin to design the roadway of the tunnel, installing electrical and mechanical systems and structures for the maintenance of buildings.
Upon completion, the new tunnel will carry traffic to the south, while the existing tunnel will handle traffic in the north.
The project is currently forecast for completion in early 2028.
