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Macao Light Rail enters tunnelling phase with TBM deployment
16 June 2025
Tunnel boring has begun on the northern section of the Macao Light Rail Eastern Line following the launch of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Haojiang Pioneer, built by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation (CRCHI).
The TBM measures 87m in length, weighs approximately 690 tonnes, and features a 7.28-metre cutter head diameter.
The 2.74km northern section of the light rail project runs from Zone A of the Macao Peninsula to Portas do Cerco (Guanzha Port) and includes a 2,077m fully underground shield tunnel.
According to a press release from CRCHI, construction is being carried out using a “short intervals, high frequency” shield tunnelling method to address challenges such as dense urban buildings, narrow construction zones, and complex hydro-geological conditions. This requires multiple TBM launches and retrievals and demands high precision and adaptability.
The Haojiang Pioneer is equipped with intelligent monitoring, high-precision deviation correction, and real-time analysis of soil structure. It also features a visual camera in the soil bin and an automatic spraying system to improve tunnelling efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Once complete, the extension will improve transport connectivity between key areas including Portas do Cerco, Zone A of the new city, and the Taipa Ferry Terminal, easing congestion and reducing passenger pressure at Portas do Cerco.
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