28 August 2014 ~ 4 Comments

Dismantling Big Alma

TBM Big Alma

After breaking through on June 11, the 750-ton tunnel boring machine (TBM) Big Alma was removed from the retrieval shaft in North Beach. TBM Mom Chung is currently in the process of being disassembled.
Pictured clockwise from left to right. Pieces of Big Alma: cutter head, cutters, bolts, and brackets.

Pictured clockwise from left to right. Pieces of Big Alma: cutterhead, cutters, bolts, and brackets.

Pictured clockwise from left to right: Construction crew hoisting out one of the dual motors, using cutting torches to section the shield, and leveraging against the screw auger of the TBM.

Pictured clockwise from left to right: Construction crew hoisting out one of the dual motors, using cutting torches to section the shield, and leveraging against the screw auger of the TBM.

To retrieve each TBM, the machines are cleared of debris, cut into sections, brackets re-wielded for attachment points, pieces hoisted out, and parts are loaded on trucks for off-hauling.
Northbound tunnel sits empty after TBM Big Alma was removed.

On the left, the Northbound tunnel sits empty after TBM Big Alma’s removal. On the right, TBM Mom Chung continues to be disassembled.

More information about the construction of the tunnels can be found here. In addition, more photos and videos can be accessed on our Flickr and YouTube pages.

 

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4 Responses to “Dismantling Big Alma”

  1. NorthBeachRIP 28 August 2014 at 4:23 pm Permalink

    Please throw a party or give something back to the neighbors who had to put up with this nonsense for the last year. They deserve a break from the noise and dirt, but also a big contribution of cash to replace their interrupted peace. 6am every day until 11pm every day.

    • vyresa 1 September 2014 at 4:49 pm Permalink

      you are a nonsense

    • stevenj 2 September 2014 at 8:52 pm Permalink

      Well at the very least the Pagoda Palace site should become a subway station on the T line since the tunnels were bored all that way. The North Beach disruption was minor compared to BART construction on Market and Mission but non the less those are long working hours.

  2. Aannddyy 30 August 2014 at 10:07 am Permalink

    Can’t wait to take Muni from my house to North Beach. I used to live there in the 80s, but hardly ever visit now due to the difficulty getting there and parking.


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