Robbins TBM Starts Pinglu Tunnel in ChinaA launch ceremony of a Robbins TBM was held on 12th July, 2006 in Souzhou in China's Shanxi province to celebrate the start of the 25.15 km-long Pinglu tunnel. The Pinglu tunnel forms part of the north main line of the Yellow River diversion project and will transfer water from the Yellow river (Wanjiazhai dam) to the regions of Pinglu, Shuozhou and Datong. The water supply for these arid regions bears a decisive importance for its further development. Visit www.robbinstbm.com Within the frame of this project important for the province, Shanxi Sino-Austria Hydraulic Engineering Co. Ltd, a JV between Alpine Mayreder and its local partners, will drive the tunnel in a planned construction time of 42 months. Visit www.alpine.atAfter intensive site preparations and TBM assembly, the TBM got underway to bore the first 13 km. After a revision in the Daliang cavern, the machine will excavate the remaining 12.15 km in a second phase. The 4.82 m-diameter bore will be lined with hexagonal concrete segments.The rolling stock for mucking-out is leased from the client and was used at other lots of the Yellow River diversion project before. It consists of four Schoema locos, type CHL-180 DCL (27 tonnes, 171 kW) and muck cars produced in China. A composite segment gasket will be used, made of EPDM and hydrophilic material. The gasket manufacturer is Shanghai Changning Rubber Products Plant. Click cn/15. Visit www.schoema-locos.de and www.changning-rubber.com.cn 33-34/06.