Major Projects of the Year (+ €500 M)
Thames Tideway Tunnel – London’s New Super Sewer
The Thames Tideway Tunnel is an innovative solution to modernize London’s outdated Victorian sewer system. Spanning 25 km, this tunnel intercepts 34 combined sewer overflows to prevent untreated sewage from flowing into the River Thames.
Costing £4.5 billion, the project employed six TBMs operating simultaneously in a dense urban environment. Extensive use of the Thames for transporting materials reduced environmental impacts such as carbon emissions and heavy vehicle traffic.
Once operational, the tunnel will have a 120-year lifespan and reduce sewage discharges into the river by 95%. The project also featured technical innovations like using electric-powered drilling machines to lower noise pollution.
Costing £4.5 billion, the project employed six TBMs operating simultaneously in a dense urban environment. Extensive use of the Thames for transporting materials reduced environmental impacts such as carbon emissions and heavy vehicle traffic.
Once operational, the tunnel will have a 120-year lifespan and reduce sewage discharges into the river by 95%. The project also featured technical innovations like using electric-powered drilling machines to lower noise pollution.
LIRR Grand Central Madison
Grand Central Madison is a landmark $11.1 billion project by New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), providing direct Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) access to Manhattan’s East Side. The underground terminal spans over 65,000 m², with eight new tracks and four platforms housed in two massive caverns. The project involved 9.7 km of hard rock tunneling under Manhattan and 3.2 km of soft ground tunneling in Queens, completed using innovative techniques like ground freezing. By transporting materials through tunnels to Queens, thousands of trucks were removed from the streets, reducing urban impact. Opened in 2023, it increases LIRR capacity by 40% and reduces daily commute times.
Singapore Thomson-East Coast line (TEL), Contracts T222 to T310
The Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) is a fully automated mass rapid transit (MRT) line in Singapore, covering 32 stations over approximately 43 km. This project aims to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time by 50% for densely populated areas. The section under contracts T222 to T310 spans 15 km and includes 13 stations, constructed with the help of 18 Earth Pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). With a total tunnel drive length of 29.4 km, the project faced challenges like complex geology and interference with existing infrastructures. Valued at €3.2 billion, innovative solutions such as ground freezing were implemented to minimize urban disruption. Once completed, TEL will significantly transform urban mobility, cutting commute times and improving residents' quality of life.