Dubai (UAE): The First shaft at Union Square Station has made substantial progress having reached its maximum depth at 24 meters.
The shaft has 25x25 meters dimensions and has already reached its maximum depth; it is the launching point of the first Tunnel Boring Machine in Dubai, Al Bugeisha, which will head from Union Square towards Burjuman.
Engineer Adnan Al Hammadi, Director of Construction said, "The most important work of the project is the tunnelling which is being carried out by TBMs. The shaft is an underground enclosure constructed of 1.2 metre thick reinforced concrete walls supported by steel frames. From where the TBM will be launched. The shaft has so far taken 15 weeks, and it is finally completed."
Mr Al Hammadi added: "2,200 m3 of concrete were poured during the construction of the 24m deep TBM shaft on the eastern side of Union Square. In addition, the conveyor system for the transportation of the excavated soil is being prepared, and the foundations for two gantries and a crane to transport the TBM parts into the shaft are being constructed."
He added, "The shaft acts as an access point for Al Bugeisha. It also forms an integral part of the Union Square Station which will have the Red and Green Lines passing through it. Monitoring equipment is being installed around the shaft and along the routes of the tunnel to ensure that no disturbances are caused to any buildings as the tunnelling proceeds. Post the tunnelling, the shaft will be dismantled."
-Ends-
© Press Release 2006
