LIVE FROM JAPAN: Today, another huge milestone for the METRO MANILA SUBWAY PROJECT unfolds, as we take you on a Virtual Media Factory Tour and Factory Acceptance Test of the ACTUAL Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs)!

Included in the live demonstration are the main body and Cutter Head with rotating Cutter Disc of the completed and powered TBM.

A total of SIX (6) TBMs manufactured by JIM Technology Corporation in its factory in Tsurumi Prefecture, Japan, will be used to build the country’s FIRST-EVER underground mass transport system. These will be delivered to the Philippines beginning January next year, to commence with the construction of the partial operability section.

Playing a fundamental role in building the subway, these TBMs will be used to dig underground and lay the tunnels. They can excavate through a variety of ground conditions, from hard rock to sand.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade witnesses the virtual tour, along with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Eigo Azukizawa, JIM Technology President Takanobu Miki, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, Shimizu Corporation of SFTE-JV Project Director Monichiro Tsuchiya, and Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Junn Magno.

To recall, the major components of the TBM for the subway, including the shield jack, cutter reduction gear motor, main bearings and articulation jack, were unveiled in February 2020.

The subway, dubbed as the ‘Project of the Century,’ will stretch across 36-kilometers, connecting Valenzuela Depot to NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City and FTI. The project aims to reduce travel time from the Valenzuela Depot to NAIA Terminal 3 to just 45 minutes, from the original 1 hour and 30 minutes.

WAY TO GO FOR THE METRO MANILA SUBWAY!

DOTr also published the video of virtual factory tour and acceptance test:

https://www.facebook.com/DOTrPH/videos/356018732233159/

https://rappler.com/nation/tunnel-boring-machines-metro-manila-subway-arrive-early-2021-dotr