How awesome! The most incredible boring story in the world is the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) in the Niagara Tunnel Project which started in 2005 and will be completed in 2013.
The hot headline in the news is that the boring (excavation) has stopped in the Niagara Tunnel yesterday, May 13, 2011:
“The TBM affectionately known as “BIG BECKY” officially completed the mining phase of the Niagara Tunnel Project at approximately 12:34 p.m. breaking through the outer portal of the Grout Tunnel before a large number of government politicians, company executives, workers, media and other invited guests. The breakout occurred at 10,143.026 meters.”
Amazing boring work was finished by Big Becky, known as the Tunnel Boring Machine that was used in the Niagara Tunnel Project!
The Niagara Tunnel Project reached an “important milestone May 13, 2011 when Big Becky, the world’s largest hard rock tunnel boring machine “breaks through” to daylight after a 10.2 Km journey beneath Niagara Falls, Ontario.”
Total Tunnel Length:
10,148 meters long
33,293.5 feet
The Niagara Tunnel Project is the largest renewable energy project of its type under construction anywhere in the world.
The route of the Niagara Tunnel is as follows:
- “The Niagara Tunnel will run unseen directly below downtown Niagara Falls, Ontario.
- It will follow Stanley Avenue, running next to two older Ontario Power Generation water diversion tunnels.
- Water that flows into the tunnel entrance, just above the Horseshoe Falls, will quickly drop about 100 metres (330 feet).
- Unheard and unseen, the water will rush around the falls, underneath the city, and onward towards its destination: the Sir Adam Beck Generating Stations.”
Please click here to see an animated recreation of the tunnel boring process!”
The Tunnel Route Under the City of Niagara Falls:
The benefits of the Niagara Tunnel Project when it is completed in 2013 include:
- Niagara Tunnel will supply enough clean, renewable electricity to power 160,000 Ontario homes — enough to power the entire Niagara peninsula.
- This project has created more than 400 full-time jobs and brought approximately $1 billion in economic benefits to the region.
- The underground tunnel will allow additional water to flow to the Sir Adam Beck Generating Station by 500 cubic metres per second — this will increase Ontario’s supply of clean, reliable power.
- More hydroelectric power will be added to Ontario’s electricity system in the next eight years than over the previous 40 years.
Please click here to find out more about the Niagara Tunnel Project.
Kudos to Ontario!
Ontario, Canada: Newsroom
News Release
Drilling Completed on Niagara Tunnel Project
May 13, 2011
McGuinty Government Increasing Clean, Renewable Power, Creating Jobs
Big Becky’s work is over, but the drive for a future of clean, reliable energy continues. The drill used to dig a 10-kilometre tunnel under Niagara Falls, named Big Becky, has completed its work. When work is finished on the Niagara Tunnel Project in 2013, it will supply enough clean, renewable electricity to power 160,000 Ontario homes — enough to power the entire Niagara peninsula.
The Niagara Tunnel Project is the largest renewable energy project of its type under construction anywhere in the world. The project has created more than 400 full-time jobs and brought approximately $1 billion in economic benefits to the region.
The underground tunnel will allow additional water to flow to the Sir Adam Beck Generating Station by 500 cubic metres per second — this will increase Ontario’s supply of clean, reliable power.
Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan is helping to keep costs down for families today, while building a clean, modern and reliable electricity system for tomorrow. The province is replacing dirty-coal fired plants with renewable energy projects from water, wind, solar and bio-energy. It has already helped create 20,000 jobs across the province.
QUOTES
“This major milestone brings us one step closer to increasing Ontario’s supply of clean, renewable power. Our energy plan is creating thousands of good jobs, cleaning the air we breathe and keeping the lights on in our homes and businesses.”
– Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario
“This is an important achievement as we continue to transform and modernize Ontario’s electricity system. Our investments are driving the economy forward and ensuring we have an energy system that Ontario families can rely on for generations.”
– Brad Duguid
Minister of Energy
“Niagara Falls is not only the Honeymoon Capital of Canada, but a hub for clean energy. This project has attracted $1 billion in new investment and created hundreds of new jobs in our community.”
– Kim Craitor
MPP Niagara Falls
“We are tapping into Ontario’s original electricity source — Niagara Falls — to create a better future for our economy and Ontario families.”
– Jim Bradley
MPP St. Catharines
QUICK FACTS
- The new Ontario Clean Energy Benefit is helping Ontario families and small businesses by taking 10 per cent off of all electricity bills for the next five years.
- Time-of-Use off-peak periods have shifted from 9 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, providing families with an extra 10 hours of electricity every week at the lowest rate.
- Ontario is on track to have 60,000 clean-energy jobs by the end of 2012.
- More hydroelectric power will be added to Ontario’s electricity system in the next eight years than over the previous 40 years.
LEARN MORE
Office of the Premier
ontario.ca/premier
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