Tunnel drills have revolutionized the construction of underground infrastructure, enabling the establishment of transport networks and the installation of vital water and wastewater pipelines.

These formidable machines have the ability to tunnel through even the most resilient materials found on our planet. Let’s explore 10 of the most impressive tunneling machines that have showcased their power and capabilities.

Bertha – Seattle, USA: Bertha holds the title of being the largest tunneling machine in the world. Measuring 57 feet in diameter and weighing a staggering 7,000 tons, it was specifically designed for the Alaska Highway replacement project, digging a tunnel 1.7 miles downstream of Seattle.

TBM Alice – Melbourne, Australia: TBM Alice, a 300-ton machine, played a crucial role in digging tunnels for the Melbourne Metro Railway Project. With a diameter of 7 meters and a length of 120 meters, it contributed to the expansion of the city’s transportation infrastructure.

Gottardo – Switzerland: Gottardo, the world’s largest tunnel boring machine, was co-built by and used in the construction of the Gotthard Tunnel in Switzerland. This impressive machine spans 410 meters in length and weighs 4,000 tons.

Big Becky – Canada: Big Becky holds the distinction of being the largest tunneling machine in Canada. With a diameter of 14.4 meters and a length of 140 meters, it was instrumental in the excavation of the Niagara Tunnel Project, the largest hydropower project in the country.

Harriet – Washington DC, USA: Harriet, weighing 1,200 tons and measuring 26 feet, was employed to dig the Anacostia Tunnel in Washington DC. This tunnel boring machine played a vital role in expanding the city’s underground infrastructure.

Seli – Italy: Seli, a 70-meter-long tunnel boring machine, played a significant role in the construction of the Marmaray Tunnel in Istanbul, Turkey. It was one of the pioneering machines used to dig through soft soil, creating a path for the tunnel.

Lærdal – Norway: Lærdal tunnel in Norway, the world’s longest road tunnel, spanning 15.23 miles under a mountain, was constructed using a fleet of tunnel boring machines. Lærdal, with a diameter of 12.2 meters, was one of the key machines involved in this remarkable project.

Kaisyuan – Taiwan: Kaisyuan, one of the largest tunnel boring machines in the world, with a diameter of 30 meters, was utilized in the excavation of the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line in Taiwan’s subway system.

Florence – Italy: Florence, weighing 2,000 tons and boasting a diameter of 9.9 meters, was the largest tunnel boring machine used in the construction of Florence Metro Line 3 in Italy. It played a crucial role in expanding the city’s metro network.

S-300 – Russia: S-300, a tunnel boring excavator weighing 2,500 tons, was designed for the construction of the Big Circle Line of the Moscow Metro. This impressive machine showcases the engineering prowess of Russia’s tunneling capabilities.

These remarkable tunneling machines are just a glimpse of the power and innovation in modern technology and engineering. As the demand for underground infrastructure continues to grow, we can expect the development of even more impressive machines capable of digging deeper and faster than ever before.

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