A microtunnel boring machine has broken through a concrete shaft wall at a Central Interceptor project construction site to complete the second of two link sewers.
The 2.8m diameter cutterhead broke through at the Norgrove Ave, Mt Albert site, making a major milestone for the New Zealand wastewater infrastructure project.
Link Sewer B is just over one kilometre long and intersects the main Central Interceptor tunnel and together with Link Sewer C, the link sewers will collect combined wastewater and stormwater flows from West Auckland.
Central Interceptor chief program delivery officer Shayne Cunis commended construction partners Ghella Abergeldie JV’s crew.
“The micro-tunnelling teams, together with our own Watercare engineers have consistently performed above expectations,” Cunis said.
“They have completed more than four kilometres of tunnelling safely and expertly, including a particularly long challenging single drive, with a lefthand bend.”
Domenica is one of three TBMs working on the Central Interceptor project. Victoria, a 12m long microtunnelling TBM is connecting the main tunnel to the local wastewater network in Keith Hay Park, Mt Roskill.
Whilst Hiwa-i-te-Rangi is currently 70m deep underground as she travels under Sandringham on her way to Pt Erin, Herne Bay as she builds the 16.2km long tunnel.
Domenica will be removed from the shaft in coming days, along with pipe-jacking equipment and other services.
A section of the Central Interceptor tunnel will go live before the end of 2024. The project is due for completion in 2026.
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