An HS2 tunnel boring machine (TBM) has become the first to complete its drive under London after more than two years of excavating.
The machine, Sushila, was launched from West Ruislip in October 2022 and broke through into a reception can at Green Park Way, Greenford, on Thursday December 19.
It’s dug five miles of one of the twin bores that will eventually make up the 8.4-mile-long Northolt Tunnel which will carry HS2 trains between Old Oak Common station and the outskirts of northwest London at West Ruislip.
A second TBM, named Caroline, was launched a month after Sushila to dig the parallel tunnel, while two others (Emily and Anne) are digging from HS2’s Victoria Road site near Old Oak Common towards Green Park Way.
Two more TBMs are set to be launched from Old Oak Common in 2025 to begin the 18-month dig towards Euston.
Malcolm Codling, HS2’s Client Director for the London Tunnels, said: “This is our first breakthrough for the Northolt Tunnel and is the result of many years of hard work from our tunnelling contractor.
“We are on schedule to complete our first tunnel for HS2 trains under the capital by the end of 2025, just as we prepare to bring HS2 tunnels into the heart of the London at Euston.”
Sushila has excavated more than 1.2 million tonnes of earth, with 4,217 runnel rings installed. All excavated earth will be placed on two areas west of the runnel and turned into wildlife meadows and wooded areas.
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