In a record‐breaking feat, China's self‑developed "Navigator" tunnel boring machine (TBM) has advanced to the 2,830th ring beneath the Yangtze River bed. With a 15.4-meter cutterhead and a cumulative drive of 5,660 meters, this engineering marvel stands as the world's largest in diameter for a high‑speed rail project!
Equipped with intelligent excavation, automated segment assembly, and advanced geological forecasting technologies, the Navigator TBM operates under an attended, unmanned mode—ensuring enhanced safety, efficiency, and precision. 🚄💡
This milestone marks a major step for the Chongqing–Chengdu section of the Shanghai–Chongqing–Chengdu high‑speed railway, promising shorter travel times and boosting connectivity between Shanghai, Chongqing, and Chengdu. As the project forges ahead, it is set to drive regional integration and spur economic development in west‑central China.
Such innovative engineering not only paves the way for a new era of high‑speed travel but also inspires the next generation of groundbreaking infrastructure projects.
Reference(s):
China’s ‘Navigator’ TBM Reaches Central Span of Yangtze River
huanqiu.com
