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Beck tunnel boring machine

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The Beck tunnel boring machine (alternately Big Becky) was the largest tunnel boring machine in the world, when it was operated by Ontario Hydro, from 2006 to 2011. Hydro used it to bore a deep replacement tunnel to supply water from the upper Niagara River 10.2 kilometres (6.3 mi) to the Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Plant. The tunnel it bored was 14.4 metres (47 ft) in diameter.

The tunnel was delayed when Beck encountered a bed of loose material, unsuitable for boring, that required a detour.

According to Ontario Power Generation the TBM itself weighed 2000 tons. Western Mechanical however, the firm that removed Beck, when its task was complete, described it weighing 7000 tons.

References

Beck tunnel boring machine Wikipedia