Lake Mead TBM arrives at siteThe Southern Nevada Water Authority has unveiled the 6.36 m-diameter Herrenknecht TBM that will mine a third 4.83 km-long raw-water intake at Lake Mead, the reservoir serving Las Vegas. The lake level has dropped 35 m since 2000, raising the possibility that the existing water inlets could dry out. The new intake will be able to draw water deeper than its counterparts. The USD447 million design-build contract was awarded to Vegas Tunnel Constructors LLC, a JV of Lombard, S.A. Healy and Impregilo SpA.The 1,500 t Herrenknecht TBM will install 2,500 precast concrete rings each formed from six segments. It was shipped from Schwanau to the Port of Long Beach, CA and transported to the Southern Nevada job site by road.The 9.5 m-diameter, 190 m-deep access shaft is equipped with a gantry system with dual 200-ton winches. The Herrenknecht is due to start its run next month to meet a project completion date of July, 2012. More from www.herrenknecht.com. 19/10.