Brian Jeffrey
On November 29, the Urban Railway Management Board of Hanoi reported a major development in the metro project, having completed 647 meters of underground tunneling. This connects Lieu Giai-Kim Ma intersection to an area close to Nui Truc Street in Ba Dinh District, bringing the total project progress to 80.32%.
The underground segment of the metro comprises four stations (S9 to S12). Currently, S10 is undergoing structural work, while S11 has finalized its concrete foundation and is set to begin jet grouting at its TBM entry and exit points. Furthermore, Station S12 is progressing with structural reinforcement and excavation activities.
A Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) from Germany’s Herrenknecht, measuring over 100 meters and weighing about 850 tons, has started operations from Station S9 (Kim Ma) and will be deconstructed upon reaching Station S12.
The project incorporates a total of 3,488 tunnel rings produced by AMACCAO in Ha Nam Province. This includes 120 heavy-duty reinforced rings, 30 with monitoring sensors, alongside a variety of standard reinforced concrete rings.
Utilizing advanced TBM technology, the project employs specialized robots for tunnel lining and cutter-head modifications. There are over 150 personnel working onsite in two shifts, including both local and international experts, such as Camelo, a Colombian specialist in tunneling.
As part of the initiative, Italian expertise has been incorporated, drawing from the techniques developed during the Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 project. Italian TBM specialists and the International Tunneling Association are providing crucial technical support.
By November 28, the TBM had successfully traveled through a reinforced geological layer, with ongoing assessments to monitor Hanoi’s challenging geological landscape, ensuring smooth tunneling operations.
Above ground, excavation at the Lieu Giai-Kim Ma intersection involves the removal and management of mud extracted from the tunneling, which is then sent for disposal.
The Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station metro line stretches 12.5 kilometers, consisting of 8.5 kilometers of elevated tracks and 4 kilometers underground. The route starts in Nhon, follows National Highway 32, passing through Cau Dien, Mai Dich, and Kim Ma, and concludes at Hanoi Station on Tran Hung Dao Street.
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The elevated structure of the metro has been finalized, while the CP03 segment (tunnels and underground stations) has reached a completion rate of 50.54%. The double-track railway adheres to European UIC 60 standards, ensuring high quality. The effective use of TBM technology and modern construction methods signifies a significant advancement in Hanoi’s urban infrastructure development.
