Purple Line Extension TBMs

The Purple Line Extension TBMs will be digging side by side to bring nearly 9 miles of new subway to LA County.

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

These pictures show the removal of the Tunnel Boring Machine’s cutterhead main bearing from the La Cienega Station.

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

TBM Fun Fact: The cutterheads on each TBM in Section 1 weigh 83,000 pounds. Here is a nice clear photo inside the TBM behind the cutterhead. #TBM #cutterhead #train #engineering

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

Beginning this evening, Thursday, September 1, and continuing intermittently through Friday, September 9, Wilshire Bl will be reduced to a single lane in each direction between Spaulding Av and Fairfax Av from 9pm-6am the following morning. Full Notice: https://t.co/iQGsFWIXuF

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

This Section 1 cutterhead is being removed to make way for the Section 2 TBMs that are working their way east and set to break through later this year.

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

The section 2 TBM’s are making progress moving eastward. Harriet is just approaching S Robertson Bl and has completed 80% of her journey! Ruth is not far behind, approaching S Wetherly Dr, and 75% complete.

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

In Sec 3, Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) Iris and Aura are working hard to put in rings at a good pace. Here are some images from inside the gantry. The gantry connects to the cutter head and holds the mechanics responsible for placing the rings in place that make up the tunnel.

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

This month the project reached a noteworthy milestone. On 6.15, Iris & Aura, Sec 3 Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), reached the halfway point for completing tunneling excavation. Both launched from the West LA VA Medical Center campus, and are working E toward Century Century.

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

Alert: Beginning today, May 9 through May 24, Metro contractors will continue geotechnical instrumentation on Thayer Av near Rochester Av in preparation for the Purple (D) Line Extension Project. Full Notice: https://t.co/8mPRFPlphu

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

TBMs on the Move! Pt.3: Both station boxes are constructed using the cut-and-cover method, as seen in this photo. The cut and cover method is a traditional form of tunneling that involves opening the ground surface and excavating to the required depth. #decking

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

TBM’s on the Move! Pt.2: When TBMs Harriet & Ruth started shiny and new, twin machines located entirely underground, primarily following Wilshire Blvd, which they have now reached. It includes the design and construction of 2.59 miles (4.17 km).

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

TBMs on the Move! Pt.1: Harriet T & Ruth BG, earth-pressure balance tunnel boring machines (TBMs) excavate east from the Century City Station to Beverly Hills Wilshire Rodeo Station and continuing to the Sec. 1 La Cienega Station. The tunnel is 20.8-feet on the outside diameter.

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

Duck banks Pt. 5: Here is a completed duct bank in the La Brea tunnel and a wonderful photo of the tunnel. We also use duct banks to hold utilities outside the tunnel. Here you can see workers building a duct bank in one of the appendages in the La Brea Station for DWP cables.

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

Section 1, and so do you, wave goodbye to the last remaining parts of the Red Tunnel Boring machine as it leaves the La Cienega Station Gale Yard. Farewell, Soyeon our Red Gantry! May you find your way to digging another day! #TBM #mashine #tunnels

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

@yesfresno This is pretty amazing. And what an honor. On behalf of Elsie, I thank you.

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

A note from Elsie: As of August 18, all 450 feet of me have been successfully packed up and hauled to Littlerock, CA, for my glorious Tunnel Boring Machine retirement. Bye, Bye LA!

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

Earlier it was phone lines today, it's tracks! This is how TBM Aura looks inside while getting some tracks. If you have any questions about the Purple (D) Line projects, never hesitate to contact us or sign-up for the mailing list through email at [email protected].

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

Here is a check-in from our Purple TBM in section 3, Aura, who is hard at work digging a tunnel to connect two stations in Westwood. Aura is already at an age that they need to have a phone line set up! You can see workers putting in the line in this photo.

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

TBM's Elsie and Soyeon: We have concluded our time at Section 1, La Cienega Station in Beverly Hills. We leave your community piece by piece as we head into our retirement. Please wave if you see us on our way out! Stay in touch at https://t.co/d8bhpLUXbg

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

Our time at Section 1 is done. Starting today, the Purple Line Extension design-builder will begin removing us, the tunnel boring machines (TBMs), from the La Cienega Station. Because we are big, this will take awhile. To learn more please go to: https://t.co/4VO1auOM2A #TBM

[Purple Line Extension TBMs @PurpleLineTBMs]

Quietly making our way across town

[Metro Los Angeles @metrolosangeles]

Tunneling is nearly done for Section 1 of the Purple (D Line) Extension! The second tunnel boring machine, Soyeon, has reached Wilshire/La Cienega. All that's left is to dig out the tail track west of La Cienega. Learn more & sign up for project updates at https://t.co/UnYC0QPHdd