The 41 parts that comprise the world’s largest EPB, with a 17.45 m diameter and weighing 7,000 t, arrived in Seattle, US from Osaka, Japan on 02.04.2013. The machine, which cost EUR62.42 million, was manufactured by Japanese firm Hitachi Zosen Corporation. The EPB launch pit will be ready in late April for reassembly and testing, for which Hitachi Zosen will assist throughout the two-month process. The TBM will officially become the property of Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP), the Washington State Department of Transportation’s contractor for the project, after 300 m of proving trials beneath Seattle. The tunnel will be opened to traffic in late 2015. Click us/69 for tunnelbuilder archive. Visit www.AlaskanWayViaduct.org and www.wsdot.wa.gov. 14/13.