TBM Berthe de Puybusque, which completed its first drive earlier this month, is now being transferred for its second drive towards the future Raisin station.
The 10.11m-diameter cutterhead, weighing nearly 150 tonnes, was transported vertically and in a single piece. The special convoy travelled at 3km/h under a security escort between the Ponts-Jumeaux and La Vache Gare – Le Grand Marché areas.
In total, about 15 convoys will be required to transport all components of the shield, starting with the front section of the machine, which includes the cutterhead, the shield skin, and the erector.
The TBM broke through at the future Ponts Jumeaux station after excavating 2.54km. Once reassembled at La Vache Gare – Le Grand Marché, the machine will commence the 2.12km drive to the future Raisin station.
