The third line of the Minsk metro will be constructed much quicker than expected, thanks to a 100m-long steel French-made boring device weighing 500kg
It arrived in Minsk last year, being painted in the colours of the national flag, to show respect for the country. CSM Director Bernard Terona explains, “Each jumbo is unique and tailored to the client’s needs. That currently in Belarus makes use of many technologies, resembling the equipment used to bore the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France. We’ve established good ties with your country and hope for another mutually beneficial project in the future.”
Until recently, the name of the new metro line had been kept secret but it’s now been announced as Alesya (a Belarusian name). Vladimir Kukharev, the Deputy Chairman of Minsk City Executive Committee, tells us “The name is among the most popular in our country. The City Executive Committee is hoping to see the pace of work on the metro line speed up considerably. Of course, being the safest means of city transport, we’re prioritising investments into its development.” The line will connect Vokzalnaya station (under construction) and the future Klara Tsetkin station, followed by Yubileinaya station (near the existing Frunzenskaya station), with a second tunnel then built back to Vokzalnaya station. In the past, under 100 metres would take a month to drill, while the jumbo (which should reach full capacity in a few months) will be able to drill up to 300m of tunnels in that time.
By Anton Kostyukevich
