The "CREC 1294" earth pressure balance tunnel boring machine (TBM), the largest-diameter TBM China has ever exported, has been put into operation at the construction site of the Sariyer-Kilyos Highway Tunnel Project in Istanbul, Turkey.
Developed by China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd (CREG), a subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited (CREC), this TBM features a cutterhead diameter of 13.65 meters, an overall length of approximately 95 meters, and a total weight of around 2,850 tons. Equipped with technologies such as continuous excavation, the machine ensures high efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability during construction.
The Sariyer-Kilyos Highway Tunnel spans approximately seven kilometers and is designed as a dual-bore single-lane structure, utilizing both traditional drill-and-blast methods and TBM excavation. The "CREC 1294" TBM will excavate an 8.7-kilometer section with a maximum burial depth of 172 meters and a minimum horizontal curve radius of 190 meters.
The Sariyer-Kilyos Highway is one of Istanbul's key ongoing highway projects. Upon completion, it will serve as a faster route connecting northern Istanbul communities to the city center, significantly enhancing regional transportation.
(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)
