As TBM Gaia reached the 1km mark on the 9.5km tunnel last week, Turin’s mayor, Stefano Lo Russo, and SMAT president Paolo Romano and CEO Armando Quazzo visited the construction site. The Colmeto consortium of Ghella and Intinera is building the project for SMAT, which is responsible for Turin’s water systems.
The Collettore Mediano di Torino – Turin Median Collector – will become the new backbone of Turin’s sewage network, running parallel to the existing one. It will extend 14km under Turin at a depth of 20m, connecting the southern part near Moncalieri with the north-western area, and directing water flow to the Castiglione Torinese sewage treatment plant.
“We are particularly pleased with this first milestone, which confirms that we have overcome the initial challenges of the project and allows us to continue, as planned, with the construction of this new infrastructure – designed to protect the environment without causing significant disruption to traffic or commercial activities above ground,” said Paolo Romano.
The mix shield TBM Gaia has a diameter of 4.08m and a cutterhead with 18 disc cutters. The machine is designed to install a ring lining composed of six reinforced concrete segments.
The TBM, which began excavation on June 3, has been advancing steadily. It was assembled at a depth of 20m. Operating in three shifts, it makes a daily advance of around 20m..
The infrastructure not only serves the city of Turin but also benefits 20 municipalities in the southern and western metropolitan areas: Beinasco, Bruino, Cambiano, Candiolo, Chieri Pessione, La Loggia, Moncalieri, Nichelino, Orbassano, Piobesi, Piossasco, Poirino, Riva di Chieri, Rivalta di Torino, Sangano, Santena, Trana, Trofarello, Villastellone, and Vinovo.
