High and Deep Andean Tunnel Tests a Contractor's Mettle
By C.J. Schexnayder

Brazilian construction giant Construtora Norberto Odebrecht S.A. has taken on a difficult construction challenge - drilling an 11.2-kilometer tunnel through a mountain more than 2,400 meters high in Central Ecuador. A pair roof collapses late last year trapped an $11.2-million tunnel boring machine requiring several months to rescue and get the project back on track.
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To excavate the 11.2 Km long headrace tunnel for the $314.6 million San Francisco Hydroelectric Project Odebrecht chose to use a 7.0 meter diameter WIRTH tunnel boring machine with a double shield as protection against the high pressures and unstable rock. (Photo courtesy of Odebrecht)
 
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