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Xiamen invites public to name tunnel boring machine for Metro Line 1

( whatsonxiamen.com )

Updated: 2014-04-24

Construction on the hotly anticipated Metro Line 1 is now in full swing in the city. As the excavation of the tunnels on the line will start soon, the city recently unveiled the tunnel boring machines (TBM) which will tunnel beneath the downtown area. Xiamen metro construction will use the CTE-6450 tunnel boring machine made by China Railway Tunneling Equipment Co.,Ltd.

Xiamen invites public to name tunnel boring machine for Metro Line 1
A tunnel boring machine made by China Railway Tunneling Equipment Co.,Ltd [Photo/whatsonxiamen.com]

A tunnel boring machine (TBM) is a machine used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross section through a variety of soil and rock strata. They are used as an alternative to the drilling and blasting (D&B) method and in soil and the conventional "hand mining" method in soil. TBMs have the advantages of limiting the disturbance to the surrounding ground and producing a smooth tunnel wall. This significantly reduces the cost of lining the tunnel, and makes them suitable to use in heavily urbanized areas. In an effort to open up more opportunities for residents to participate in the construction process of the metro line, a campaign has recently been launched to solicit names from the public for the tunnel boring machine, according to reports.

The activity is co-sponsored by the Xiamen Subway Office, the Xiamen Urban Rail Transit Group and Xiamen Daily. Any individual or organization can submit their designs for the competition. Designs can be submitted from now till 3rd May and the final selected works will be awarded an exquisite gift.

According to the organizing committee, the mascots should reflect the regional characteristics of Xiamen and highlight different aspects of the metro. The winner will have his/her selected name painted on the machine.

All participants are supposed to hand in their works before 3rd May and a judging panel will select 6 designs. The organizing committee will then ask the public to vote online to name the tunnel boring machines that will excavate the new subway tunnels.

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