TBM “Tao Bao” successfully completes breakthrough for Hanoi Metro Line 3 Pilot Light project

On January 13, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) named “Tao Bao” (“Audacious”) successfully completed its breakthrough at Station S11. Designed and manufactured by Herrenknecht, the 6.60-metre-diameter EPB TBM is roughly 100 metres long and weighs approximately 800 tonnes. Tao Bao is now heading toward the final station S12, excavating the last section of the tunnel.

Hanoi Metro’s Pilot Light Line 3 will have a capacity of 200,000 passengers per day. Line 3, the Văn Miếu Line (Temple of Literature Line), is set to be the busiest, extending for 12.5 km, of which 8.5 km are on elevated tracks and 4 km underground. Ghella is involved in the excavation of the underground section, which includes 2.6 km of twin-bore tunnels excavated in parallel using two EPB TBMs, as well as the construction of four stations: Kim Ma Station, Cat Linh Station, Van Mieu Station, and Hanoi Station. 

Benefits of the project:

1. Significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Improved local air quality, with benefits for public health and community safety
3. Sharing of technology and technical skills during construction, thanks to the involvement of a local workforce in the project team.
4. Reduced urban traffic congestion.