Dublin Port Tunnel Breaks ThroughThe Herrenknecht EPB TBM excavating the second tube of the Dublin Port tunnel broke through into the reception pit at Whitehall on the 18th August, 2004. The event was attended by the Irish minister for transport, Séamus Brennan. This major milestone in the project's construction is the culmination of over two years of continuous tunnelling works, which originally started in May 2002. Since starting, the twin 11.8 m-diameter bores have been built over a distance of 4.5 km, from Whitehall to Fairview and back. The tunnels, at an average of 20 m below ground, have passed under 315 residential and commercial properties. The first bore broke through on 15th July, 2003 marking the end of a 2.1 km drive. The return journey's breakthrough at Whitehall represents the end of the tunnelling works. The contractor, a JV between Nishimatsu, Mowlem and Irishenco, has successfully proven the feasibility and technology of safely tunnelling in Dublin. Almost half a million cubic metres has been excavated for these tunnels. The TBM will now be dismantled and shipped back to Germany, where it will be completely overhauled and refurbished, before moving on to another tunnel project in Europe.To complete the scheme, work on the mechanical and electrical installations will immediately start. This will take a little over a year, after which the tunnels and all of their safety features will be commissioned. The process will take approximately three months, during which it will first be system tested without traffic and then progressively opened to traffic, in late 2005 to early 2006. On opening, the tunnel will relieve Dublin Port related traffic from the city centre and significantly improve the city's environment by taking up to 9,000 trucks a day out of the city centre.Road haulage groups have been campaigning for the operating height of the 4.5 km motorway tunnel to be raised from 4.65 m to around 5 m to accommodate super large trucks. But the transport minister has indicated that the height of the tunnel will not be raised. Click ie/12. Subscribe to E-News Weekly 11/2004 & 48/2003. Visit www.nra.ie and www.herrenknecht.com 36/04.