New Record for NFM Technologies TBM'Besi', the 11.95 m-diameter TBM supplied by NFM Technologies (Wirth Group) for the excavation of Line 9 of the Barcelona metro, has just established a new world record. The earth pressure/open mode twin-mode machine has just made a spectacular advance of 39 metres in one day, installing 22 segmental rings. Each ring consists of eight segments. This performance was achieved in open mode, on a section featuring a 270 m radius of curvature, very tight for the machine diameter. This feat was accomplished thanks to the quality of the machine and to the whole team working on the site, led by the customer UTE Línea 9, including FCC, Ferrovial Agromán, OHL, Copisa and Copcisa. Section 4r currently under build links Sagrera Meridiana to Cam Zan. A specialist in large-diameter TBMs, NFM Technologies has validated with this new record a technology proven under arduous geological conditions. The TBM started on 20th June, 2003 from Cam Zan and will exit at Besos shaft. To date, the machine has covered more than 70% of the run, out of the total of 4,269 m. It should be dismantled in June 2005 for the excavation of another 8 km portion, extending from Zona Universitaria station to Sagrera Meridiana station (section 3r), to be built by the same contractors. Click es/48. Visit www.nfm-technologies.com and www.gencat.net/ptop/L9/index.htm 07/05.