Final launch at B1 metro in Rome On 26.05.2010, the 9.8 m-diameter EPB launched on construction of the Conca d'Oro-Jonio section, a single tube tunnel for the B1 metro line in Rome. Preparatory works on the Jonio station and Conca d'Oro-Jonio section were started in February 2010.The construction of Bologna-Conca d'Oro section began in April, 2006, and stations Annibaliano, Libia/Gondar and Conca d'Oro are nearly completed. From Conca d'Oro station on 10.05.2010 the 6.77m-diameter Herrenknecht EPB S-387 (even track/lower gallery) entered the intermediate station of Annibaliano, for a total advance of 1,965 m. After the breakthrough at Gondar in December 2009, excavation was resumed early-2010 in the direction of the Annibaliano station. The TBM advanced approximately 877m, with an average output of 16m/day and an average monthly output of 219.45m. On 05.05.2010, groundwater was detected in the excavation chamber in the bulkhead. Mono-component resins were injected behind the ring installed in the jet-grouting stretch, in order to create a waterproof buffer. After discharging pressure, and checking and substituting excavation tools, it was possible to knock down the concrete diaphragm on 10.05.2010.The odd track TBM is alongside Annibaliano station, having achieved a total advance of around 1,590 m. The bi-tube Bologna-Conca d'Oro section will be completed in September 2010, while Conca d'Oro-Jonio section will be completed in early-2012 For background and history of this project, click here, here, and here, and visit tunnelbuilder archive it/31. Visit www.romametropolitane.it. 22/10. Start of works for 9.8 m-diameter EPB