Main development work on the 25km Thames Tideway tunnel was completed final month after a 1,200-tonne concrete ‘lid’ was lifted into place to cap the challenge’s deepest shaft at Abbey Mills Pumping Station in east London.
Now, the groups are getting ready to deliver the tunnel into service by making a connection to the 6.9km Lee Tunnel, which has been in operation since 2016.
The work includes breaking down and eradicating a thick wall separating the Lee Tunnel from the Thames Tideway Tunnel, to create a single system which can defend the complete tidal Thames.
Constructed from concrete and metal, the wall is 1.5m thick and round 8m2 – and sits 66m under floor.
The connection of the 2 tunnels must be accomplished to allow flows captured by the Thames Tideway Tunnel when in operation, to be transported to Beckton Sewage Therapy works for therapy.
On the identical time, one other workforce will probably be engaged on the development of a brand new weir wall on the Beckton works.
To make sure the groups can work safely throughout these works, the Lee Tunnel should be taken out of service for a interval of roughly two weeks. The works have been rigorously sequenced to maintain the work interval to a minimal.
As soon as the tremendous sewer and the Lee Tunnel have been joined collectively, the workforce will swap to the ultimate commissioning section on the mega-project.
That is anticipated to take a number of months. The system will probably be examined in several climate circumstances at half capability after which full capability, forward of full operation, which is due in 2025.
Author: ” — www.constructionenquirer.com ”