10 APRIL / 2020 / 13:50
Another important event took place in the construction of a new line in the Baku metro. The excavation of the second tunnel, 1182 meters long, connecting the purple line station "Avtovagzal" with the power depot conditionally named as "Khojasan" has been completed.
The excavation of the tunnels leading to the Khojasan depot was carried out under arduous hydrogeological circumstances because the geographical area where the tunnels are located has unsteady soil layer and abundant groundwater. On the other hand, an important state railway line and engineering communication lines pass under the construction site near the tunnels. Taking this into account, special preventive measures were taken to prevent unforeseen accidents during the entire construction period. Special requirements for labor protection and safety were also observed during the construction. Taking into account the above-mentioned, the excavation of tunnels was under the constant supervision of experienced and professional builders, who were involved in the work. As a result, the excavation of the tunnels was carried out safely and without damage, with no accidents recorded at the construction site, which will go down in history as another success story of the construction of the metro in Baku.
Notwithstanding all the challenges, as well as the complex configuration of the tunnel, the calculations of surveyors were accurate. Thus, just like the right tunnel, the excavation of the left tunnel, with a diameter of 5.5 meters, was successfully completed and connected to the station tunnel "Avtovagzal" with the highest accuracy. It should be noted that the excavation of the 1112-meter-long right tunnel was completed in April 2018.
It should be stressed that the excavation of these tunnels was carried out by means of a shield facility. The application of the state-of-the-art mechanical excavation method in the Baku metro with the “Herrenknecht” and “Robbins” tunneling complexes began in 2011 at the "Avtovagzal" station and continued in the construction of the next stations. Due to these and other technical reasons, it was not possible to use state-of-the-art advanced method in the construction of roads leading to the depot.
Thus, the decisive stage in the construction of tunnels leading to the power depot of the Purple Line begins. The builders will then begin to build the tunnels’ infrastructure, more importantly, the roadbed and superstructure elements in accordance with the relevant regulations. This work is currently being completed along the right tunnel.
It should be noted that the roads in both tunnels are built on reinforced concrete blocks, rather than on wooden sleepers. These blocks are the products of the Baku Metro's own production area, allowing to not only prevent the export of currency, but also save a lot of money, eliminate dependence on foreign producers, as well as achieve the most favorable operating terms and conditions.
After the commissioning of the “Avtovagzal” and Memar Ajami stations of the Purple Line, the first metro line built during independence, on April 19, 2016, construction work continues at the depot of the line in Khojasan settlement. In accordance with the norms and regulations of metro construction, each operated line is to have its own depot. After the commissioning of the third station of the line, trains will be able to have a better turning maneuver while moving from one track to another. Thus, the number of trains on the line should be increased by applying a more intensive schedule. In this case, the inspection, maintenance and repair of trains must be carried out in a depot.
The construction of the “Khojasan” depot is planned in three stages. In the first stage, facilities and buildings are being built that will allow the above-mentioned works to be performed at the minimum requirements. Work is underway to create a number of service areas.
