Tunnel boring machine(TBM) for MM subway arriving 4 mos. ahead of schedule

The country’s first subway makes a headway.

The first tunnel boring machine (TBM) to be used in the construction of the Metro Manila Subway, has just been delivered four months ahead of schedule.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said JIM Technology, Inc. (JIMT), the Japanese firm contracted to manufacture the six TBMs for the subway, will complete the first TBM by June.

(photo credit to owner)

“Makapag-umpisa tayo ng tunneling natin within this year (We’ll be able to begin tunneling within this year),” Batan said.

Batan said manufacturing one TBM was originally projected to take 13 months at the earliest, according to its manufacturer. But after a meeting last December between JIMT and the DOTr, the manufacturing time was cut short to 11 months.

“But still, (DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade) asked if it can be further accelerated. So, we're now looking at nine to 10 months for the first unit,” he added.

After the delivery in August. Batan said the TBM will begin tunneling from the East Valenzuela Station in Barangay Ugong in Valenzuela City towards Quirino Highway Station.

The excavation for the 15 stations of the subway will start months earlier or by the second quarter of this year, he added.

After all six TBMs are delivered, Batan further said the tunnel will run down from Valenzuela City “through Quezon City, all the way to NAIA Terminal 3, and all the way to FTI and Bicutan Stations where it will integrate with the North-South Commuter Rail – yung linya natin (our line) from Clark to Calamba.”

The Metro Manila subway will be partially operational by end of 2021 or early 2022, more than three years ahead of its projected completion by end of 2025.

“Literally, you can ride a subway train in Valenzuela, and get off at Calamba, without transferring any trains or any stations,” he added.

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Report from PNA

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