CRCHI delivered its largest diameter TBM to Europe for a key Romanian highway project.
A 12.49m diameter earth pressure balance shield tunnel boring machine (TBM), manufactured by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited (CRCHI), has successfully passed its factory acceptance test (FAT) at the company’s Changsha No.2 Industrial Park in September. This machine, the largest diameter TBM ever exported to Europe by CRCHI, is destined for a pivotal role in constructing the challenging Lot 3 section of the Sibiu-Pitesti Highway in Romania.
The TBM will be deployed on the 37.4km Lot 3, the most complex segment of the future highway, which crosses the Carpathian Mountains between Cornetu and Tigveni. Awarded to a consortium of Webuild (90 per cent) and Tancrad (10 per cent) by the Romanian Road Authority (CNAIR) under a contract exceeding €1 billion ($AU1.78 billion), this section features significant engineering works. These include 12.5km of bridges and viaducts, and a 1.7km-long twin-tube tunnel – the Poiana Tunnel, which is set to become Romania’s longest highway tunnel.
This delivery marks the third TBM supplied by CRCHI to Romania. The machine has been specifically engineered to tackle the demanding geological conditions of the route, which include navigating through clay, silty clay, and sandy cobble strata. To ensure high performance, efficiency, and safety in these challenging ground and hydrological conditions, CRCHI’s technical team integrated internationally advanced TBM design concepts. Key innovations include permanent magnet drive systems and rapid assembly/relocation designs. The machine also features enhanced visual maintenance and intelligent alert systems, boosting overall operational efficiency, safety, and operator comfort.
In a crucial step for European market entry, the TBM is fully equipped with integrated systems – including gas detection, ventilation, emergency lighting, communications, and power supply – that comply with relevant European directives. This comprehensive approach effectively ensured the machine successfully attained CE certification.
The Sibiu-Pitesti Highway project, 85 per cent co-financed by the European Union, is a critical component of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), specifically the Rhine-Danube Corridor. Upon completion of its five sections, the over 122km highway will significantly improve connectivity between central and western Romania and the wider European motorway network, alleviating congestion on existing national roads.
CRCHI’s tunnelling equipment have now been exported to more than 50 countries and regions worldwide, including Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Singapore, Serbia, Chile, and Saudi Arabia. The company has stated its commitment to deepening global collaboration, continuing to provide high-quality products and services, and offering robust Chinese solutions and expertise for worldwide infrastructure development.
For more information, contact tangzhongwu@crchi.com