TBMs arrive in Brazil to deliver Fortaleza metro expansion

The first two Robbins TBMs have arrived in Fortaleza, marking a major breakthrough in Brazil for the US manufacturer.

The Brazilian Government’s Secretary of Infrastructure in the State of Ceara (SEINFRA) has ordered four 6.92 m Robbins Earth Pressure Balance Machines (EPBs) to construct Line 3 of the Fortaleza Metro.

Fortaleza, like many major cities around the country, is investing heavily in new rail infrastructure to meet not only the demand expected from the Olympics and World Cup but the general need for greater capacity on Brazil’s public transport networks.

Line 3 will stretch for 12.4 kilometres between Chico da Silva to Edson Queiroz.

The US $54 million TBMs are expected to begin tunnelling works in 2014. However, the contractor which will carry out the work is still to be announced.

Components from the US and Europe will be shipped to China where they will be assembled at Robbins’ Pudong site.

The first two TBMs arrived in Brazil yesterday (August 28), with the remaining machines still to complete assembly and undergo testing.




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