July 3 - WWL ALS - a division of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics - recently coordinated the relocation of a tunnel boring machine (TBM) from St. John's Wood, Central London to Haringley, London - a distance of 9 km.
The TBM components were moved in four separate loads, the heaviest of which weighed 105 tonnes and measured 4.4 m x 4.71 m. The components included a cutting head, a shield main drive, a machine can and a tailskin.
The two largest pieces - the shield main drive and tailskin - were moved under a special order from the Highways Agency.
The project was completed over a two-week period with each separate delivery taking four hours to complete. The deliveries were scheduled this way as the due to police restrictions - the largest items were only allowed to move on consecutive Sunday mornings.
WWL ALS subcontracted a vessel bridge trailer to move the 22 tonne and 40 tonnes pieces. A modular five bed 5-axle trailer with drawbar unit was deployed for the 103 and 105-tonne loads.
WWL ALS was responsible for route surveys, accounting for multiple bridge heights and street furniture, using information provided by Network Rail, the British Waterways Board, Highways Agency, City of Westminster, Camden and Haringey Borough Councils, the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London (TfL).
The route approved by the Highway's Agency presented a number of challenges, including street furniture removal and replacement as well as parking bay restrictions. WWL ALS organised an advanced letter drop at residences, churches and parking bays to pre-advise of the early Sunday movements. A number of residential parking bays had to be suspended for the duration of the contract, adding GBP15,000 (USD19,455) to the cost of the project. A Metropolitan Police 'lifter' also followed each WWL ALS convoy to relocate any obstructing cars along the route. TfL arranged for bus services to be diverted or rescheduled to minimise delays to passengers and the project.
The deliveries were made safely and on schedule. It is the third time that WWL ALS has delivered tunnel boring machinery in Central London this year. The company is already planning for similar projects during 2013 and 2014.
