HAMPTON, Va. — On April 17, Mary the Tunnel Boring Machine emerged through the headwall at the Hampton end of the HRBT.
Exactly six months later, she's starting her next journey: creating the twin eastbound tunnel, headed toward Norfolk.
Crews are still working on installing fire suppression systems, jet ventilation and the roadway in the first tube.
"This is amazing work that the crew has done," said Sergio Estebanes, HRCP Tunnel Manager. "All the engineers, the mechanics, electricians ... It's a great day."
Here are a few fun facts about Mary, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM):
- The TBM is longer than a football field and weighs 4,700 tons.
- On average, the TBM moves at a rate of about 50 feet per day. But Mary has done even better than that on some days.
- The HRBT’s bored tunnel is only the third of its kind in the U.S. (The other two are in Seattle and Miami)
- Both new twin tunnels will be about 1.5 miles each.