First TBM Starts Line 9 of Barcelona MetroAn Earth Pressure Balance shield built by NFM Technologies, Wirth's sister company based in Lyon, started driving line 9 in Barcelona from Can Zam in Santa Coloma de Gramenet on 20th June. The machine is 11.95 m in diameter and the internal diameter of the tunnel will be 10.9 m once lined with concrete segments. Each ring consists of eight segments. The concrete segments are provided by the client, the Línea 9 JV. The shield length is 12.6 m and the total length with the back-up is 140 m. The machine weighs 2,200 tons. Its installed power is 8,150 kW and the cutterhead motor produces 4,725 kW. The nominal thrust is 90,000 kN with 30 cylinders. The cutting head nominal torque is 29,000 kNm at 1.25 rpm. The cutterhead rotation speed can reach 3.7 rpm. The daily speed is expected to be 15-20 m. The machine has been acquired by the L9 JV comprising FCC, Copcisa, OHL, Ferrovial-Agromán y Copisa. The excavated material will be removed by means of a conveyor belt from Continental Conveyor. In 2007, line 9 will be Europe's longest line with 43 km and 46 stations, connecting Badalona and Santa Coloma with El Prat airport and Zona Franca. The line will cost €2.25 billion. Visit www.wirth-europe.de/NFM/NFM.htm 27/03.