How does transit tunnel boring technology work?
The tunnel boring machine operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tunnelling takes place deep underground with minimal disruption to the ground above
Tunnel Boring Technology
The tunnel boring machines are manufactured by Caterpillar (formerly Lovat Inc.) and are manufactured in Etobicoke.
Once it finishes a "tunnel drive", the tunnel boring machine is broken down into several parts at the extraction shaft and transported by truck to the next launch shaft and prepared for its next tunnel drive. Two tunnel boring machines will drill in parallel about a month apart, in the same direction, to create the twin tunnels for the subway.
A construction staging area, or worksite, is prepared for the launch shaft in advance of the arrival of the tunnel boring machine and the tunnel liners. A smaller extraction shaft area will also be prepared before the tunnel boring machine reaches its destination.
Concrete Technology
Munro Concrete Products Ltd, located in Essa Townships, Simcoe County will provide the concrete tunnel liners for The Crosstown.
As the tunnel boring machine advances, pre-cast concrete tunnel segments called "liners" will be set in place behind the machine to form the tunnel. These concrete liners are pre-made off-site and trucked into the tunel construction site on a regular basis.
Launch Shaft Construction for Tunnelling
A massive launch shaft – 60 metres long, 20 metres wide and 16m below the ground will be excavated adjacent to Keelesdale Park between Black Creek Drive and Keele Street. The shaft will enable the tunnelling machines to be safely lowered and launched eastward in 2012. The tunnelling machines are so large that the parts will be lowered by crane and assembled on site.
Keelesdale Park – Launch Area and rendering of future Bridge and York Community Centre at Black Creek and Eglinton.
Launch Shaft Excavation Stage One.
Launch Shaft Excavation Stage Two.
Launch Shaft Excavation Stage Three.
Launch Box and Tunnelling Machines lowered by crane.
Tunnel From above with beams removed to visualize scale.
