Giant TBM order puts Lower Thames Crossing tunnel on track

National Highways has ordered Europe’s largest ever tunnel boring machine for the £10bn Lower Thames Crossing, with tunnelling work on track to begin in 2028.
German manufacturer Herrenknecht will build the 16.4m diameter machine, which will be the third largest tunnel boring machine ever built worldwide. The machine will be bought and operated by the Bouygues Travaux Publics Murphy joint venture, which is delivering the twin-bore tunnel beneath the Thames.
At 120m long and weighing