Press release
23 December 2024The tunnel-boring machine Busy Lizzie was launched on February 28, 2012, a little over 2 months after it was lowered into its starting position in a shaft of the Lee Tunnel.
This phase marks the beginning of the 7-kilometre tunnel excavation operation, which will be completed in two years by this Herrenknecht TBM that is 120 metres in length and 8.85 metres in diameter. The Lee Tunnel project received the “Infrastructure Award” as well as the “Greatest Contribution to London Award” for the excellent quality of its diaphragm walls; the prizes were awarded at the ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) ceremony held in London on March 5, 2012.
The project calls for the construction of a 7-kilometre tunnel for storm and wastewater in East London that will reduce by half the 32 million cubic metres of wastewater discharged annually in the River Thames by collecting it at the source. The projects also calls for the construction of 4 large shafts as well as supply and installation of the equipment and automation systems needed to manage the effluent and raise it more than 80 metres.
Currently, nearly 430 employees are at work on the project, including about 30 expatriate personnel and VIE (business volunteer program) interns from VINCI Construction Grands Projets and about 20 employees from Bachy Soletanche.
