On 15thJanuary 2019, a 10.5m diameter EPBM for the Alger Metro finished its Factory Acceptance Testing at the CREG workshop in Tianjin. It’s the first CREG TBM to be used for the metro construction in Africa and signifies and important step in CREG’s international business strategy.
The TBM excavation project was awarded to Italian Contractor SELI OVERSEAS by COSIDER TRAVAUX PUBLICS in early 2018. It involves the extension of the Algiers metro lines from the El Harrach station to Houari Boumediene International Airport, which stretches over 9.5km underground with 9 stations and 10 ventilation shafts.
The total length of the EPBM is 91m and it weighs more than 1800ton. Due to the tight schedule, the design and manufacture phase was limited to 9 months. The machine adopts active articulation and is capable of negotiating 180m curve radius as required by the project owner.
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The supply contract represents a new addition to CREG’s joint efforts with European Contractors following the previous successes in Lebanon Greater Beruit Water Supply Project subcontracted to C.M.C (a completed project, where CREG supplied two 3.5m Gripper TBMs), Dubai Deep Tunnel Storm Water System, subcontract to Porr-Six Construct JV (an ongoing project, where CREG has supplied two 11.05m EPBMs) and the Doha Musaimeer Pumping Station and Outfall Tunnel Project, subcontracted to HBK-Porr JV (an ongoing project, where CREG has supplied one 4.4m EPBM).
Mr. Dario Vizzino, Project Director of SELI OVERSEAS delivered a speech at the Ceremony. In the speech, he acknowledged that, “many TBM suppliers competed to provide this TBM, and after a careful selection, we choose CREG to be our TBM supplier. Because CREG boasts excellent product quality and after-sale service in this field, and its brand influence in overseas markets is increasing rapidly.” He also confirmed that, “after testing this TBM in the past one week, we feel quite pleased with this TBM. It meets our expectations and we feel excited.”
The machine will be ready for the assembly in a short time. The of start excavation is slated for mid 2019 with the extension line from El Harrach to the airport scheduled for opening in 2021.
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