We are waiting for the release of “Samara”

In a month, approximately in the first days of December, we are waiting for the release of the “Samara” shield, which is building the left running tunnel on the “Teatralnaya” - “Alabinskaya” section of the Samara metro. The work is being carried out by Tunnel Squad-6.

–We started on May 6, 2024, we had to finish the excavation by the first days of January. We are currently ahead of schedule. If we take the rotor picket, 1293 meters have already been covered, 293 meters remain, this is about a month of work,” commented Vladimir Chertov, head of the Mining Mechanization Department of Mosmetrostroy.

In order for the work to begin, the general contractor Volgatransstroy Group of Companies carried out measures to strengthen the cultural heritage building located along the route. The builders are faced with the task of ensuring subsidence-free penetration. The customer's surveying service conducts systematic observations of the daytime surface.

The geology in these places is clay and loam. Now, when the shield goes up, there are loose sand, dolomite and clay (in the roof of the tunnel). In this geology, the rate of penetration decreases. The work is carried out in strict compliance with the design parameters of the TBM, for example, soil loading pressure, in order to prevent any subsidence.

–Under the difficult conditions of excavation at this stage, all measures have been completed, there are no complaints, we are proceeding without a single drawdown,–Chertov noted.

Work on the construction of the section in the Samara metro continues around the clock. On average, about 50 people work on one shift, half on the first shift from eight in the morning to eight in the evening, and the same number on the second shift from eight in the evening until eight in the morning. The guideline that builders try to adhere to is 25 days of excavation per month and five days are stops for all kinds of technological breaks. This could be cable extension, inspection or replacement of cutting tools, cleaning of communications and more.

Right tunnel

After the Samara shield comes to the surface, it will be reinstalled and the construction of the right distillation tunnel will begin.

–The TBM will go into the pit behind the dead ends of the existing Alabinskaya station. There is a complex, cramped chamber; the equipment will be mounted partly in dead ends, partly in the dismantling chamber. In fact, we will completely dismantle the machine, reassemble it and begin digging the right tunnel towards Teatralnaya. In total, this work will take two months. The start of excavation is scheduled for mid-February next year, concluded Vladimir Chertov.