Start of the End for Hallandsas TunnelWith the safety of their miners a top priority the Skanska Vinci joint venture has ordered a CE certified rescue chamber from MineArc Systems of Australia for the Hallandsas project in Sweden. The 20 man chamber is designed for up to 36 hour entrapment and comes fitted with scrubbing and ventilation system, air conditioning, gas monitoring, first aid equipment and stretcher, beds for 15 plus bench for 5 people, fridge and water cooler, and toilet and wash basin.The chamber will be mounted on a special purpose-built CE certified carrier supplied by Metalliance of France. The diesel engine, through a hydrostatic transmission, will drive all the four wheels. Like the firefighting trucks and rescue shuttles employed at road tunnels such as the Mont Blanc and Frejus, the carrier has a dual power system. Normally it will run with the diesel engine in a traditional way, but in the event of a complete lack of oxygen in the tunnel, in case of fire, it switches over to compressed air supply coming from a rack of compressed air bottles mounted on the carrier. Dual controls allow operation from either the carrier or from inside the rescue chamber. A thermal imaging camera will also be fitted. Visit www.minearc.com.auAfter over two years of preparation and years of permit processing and studies, the drilling through the Hallandsas Ridge commenced in September from the south side, further to the launch of the TBM at an official ceremony held on 31st August. The startup process will last several months. The Herrenknecht TBM will be fine-tuned during the autumn to run on full capacity next year. Various facilities for conducting the tunnel work have been installed, including a new factory for producing around 40,000 concrete segments. One of the most highly prioritised preparation processes was the setting up of facilities and systems for monitoring and handling environment, water and chemicals. Over 300 people are involved in the project. The muck haulage is ensured by a conveyor belt designed, supplied and installed by Marti Technik. The project, which first started in 1992, comprises twin 5.6 km to complete twin 8.6 km rail tunnels which form part of the west coast line between Gothenburg and Malmoe. Visit www.herrenknecht.com and www.martitechnik.chThe machine is expected to emerge from the north side of the ridge in just over two years' time. After this, it will drill the second bore, which will also run from south to north. After the railway equipment is completed, the tunnel is expected to be ready for railway traffic in 2012. Click se/26 and here. Visit www.banverket.se and www.hallandsaskommitten.se 43/05.