Moscow metro builders walked over 2000 meters of two tunnels at one of the largest construction projects of JSC Russian Railways - the Shkotovo - Smolyaninovo section of the Far Eastern Railway (FER), said General Director of JSC Mosmetrostroy Sergei Zhukov, who visited Primorskoe with an inspection edge.
–Here, in Primorye, our specialists are simultaneously laying two parallel tunnels 1450 and 1420 meters long as part of the program for modernizing the infrastructure of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railways. We plan to complete construction by the end of 2024. The work is being carried out by a subsidiary of Mosmetrostroy – MMC International,” said Sergei Zhukov.
The tunnels are constructed using the mountain method; the total length of the section, including approaches, is 7.5 km. Currently, work is actively underway to excavate tunnels from the Western and Eastern portals. 2085 meters of 2870 meters of mine workings have been completed.Due to difficult engineering and geological conditions, excavation is carried out in three ledges with a device for advanced fastening of the roof and the “forehead” of the face. At the same time, permanent lining of the tunnels is being carried out.
On the approach to the Eastern Portal, two single-track bridges are being built. At the moment, reinforced concrete spans are being installed. In addition, the construction of two supply canals to collect water flows and concentrate them at the bridge crossings is being completed.
The project also includes buildings and structures of engineering and technical security equipment (ITSO). They are necessary for transport safety and tunnel management during operation.
In general, about 1,000 people are involved in the Shkotovsky Pass area. More than 100 pieces of equipment are used to construct tunnels, including specialized underground machines and mechanisms.
To replace European analogues that have left the Russian market, the issue of purchasing specialized Chinese-made mining equipment is being considered. A drilling rig from a Chinese manufacturer has already been purchased and put into operation.
The commissioning of the bypass will make it possible to eliminate the “barrier” place on the way to the ports of Nakhodka by optimizing the route profile. Nowadays, on difficult terrain with ups and downs, pushing locomotives are used for freight trains, which reduces the efficiency of hauling. Thanks to the new tunnels, capacity will increase to 72 pairs of trains per day without additional traction.
Photo author - Victor Gokhovich