Two of the tunnel boring machines being used in the construction of São Paulo Metro’s Line 5 are now in operation – the first time in Brazil’s history that two TBMs have been in use simultaneously to build a single line.
The new TBM, named Tatuzão, joins Megatatuzão which was lowered into a portal in the city’s Campo Belo district in July.
Tatuzão, which will dig at a rate of 15 metres a day, is one of three TBMs which will construct a 4.8-kilometre extension of Line 5 – Lilac from Campo Belo to Chácara Klabin station in Vila Mariana.
Once complete, the R $7.5 billion extension will more than double the current 8.5 kilometre route, adding 11.5 kilometre of additional track and 11 new stations.
The 1.9 kilometre tunnel between the current terminus station, Largo Treze, and the first of the new stations, Adolfo Pinheiro, is expected to be completed by January next year.
The extended Line 5 – Lilac will connect with São Paulo’s Line 1 – Blue and Line 2 – Green and improve accessibility to some of the city’s main medical centres.
