Section of A86 Tunnel in Paris Breaks ThroughThe Herrenknecht TBM boring the east tunnel on the A86 motorway west of Paris broke through on 14th October the first section, named VL1 and 4.5 km in length, between Rueil-Malmaison and the A13 motorway interchange in Vaucresson Le Chesnay. The 190 m-long 11.56 m-diameter machine, numbered S-127, will now be disassembled and transferred to Pont Colbert in Versailles from where it will drive the second section VL2 (5.5 km) in the opposite direction towards the breakthrough point. The 2,300 t TBM is a mixshield equipped with 24 cylinders able to work in EPB mode and slurry mode, open or semi-open. If the geology changes, the machine can be quickly converted and adapted to the new soil conditions. The 2 m-wide segmental rings comprise seven concrete segments and one key. This is a 10 km double-deck tunnel accommodating two three-lane carriageways for light vehicles. Each traffic level is equipped with totally independent power supply, ventilation and operating systems. Opening is scheduled in 2007 for the first section and in 2009 for the second.The 7.5 km west tunnel will be a single-tube two-way tunnel for all vehicles to link Rueil-Malmaison and the A12 motorway in Bailly. It is programmed to open in 2009. These two toll tunnels will complete the A86 orbital motorway around Greater Paris. The concessionaire is Cofiroute. The builder is Socatop (Société de Construction de l'Autoroute de Traversée de l'Ouest Parisien). Click fr/21. Read E-News Weekly 40/2003. Visit www.a86ouest.com, www.cofiroute.fr and www.herrenknecht.com 43/03.