63-724: The Rhondda Tunnel is an abandoned railway tunnel that runs between the Rhondda and the Afan Valleys in South Wales . It is 3,443 yards (3,148 m) long, making it the third longest railway tunnel in Wales, and the seventeenth longest in the United Kingdom. The tunnel, constructed by the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway , was engineered by Sydney William Yockney. In June 1885, construction commenced from Blaencwm in
126-695: A canal . The central portions of a rapid transit network are usually in the tunnel. Some tunnels are used as sewers or aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations. Utility tunnels are used for routing steam, chilled water, electrical power or telecommunication cables, as well as connecting buildings for convenient passage of people and equipment. Secret tunnels are built for military purposes, or by civilians for smuggling of weapons , contraband , or people . Special tunnels, such as wildlife crossings , are built to allow wildlife to cross human-made barriers safely. Tunnels can be connected together in tunnel networks . A tunnel
189-449: A large factor in the decision making process. Civil engineers usually use project management techniques for developing a major structure. Understanding the amount of time the project requires, and the amount of labor and materials needed is a crucial part of project planning. The project duration must be identified using a work breakdown structure and critical path method . Also, the land needed for excavation and construction staging, and
252-467: A pipe jack, with the span of some box jacks in excess of 20 metres (66 ft). A cutting head is normally used at the front of the box being jacked, and spoil removal is normally by excavator from within the box. Recent developments of the Jacked Arch and Jacked deck have enabled longer and larger structures to be installed to close accuracy. There are also several approaches to underwater tunnels,
315-562: A shorter route to Swansea via the Afan Valley passing through the 1,700-foot-high (520 m) Mynydd Blaengwyfni. Sydney William Yockney was employed to engineer the route. He had connections to tunnel engineering through his father, Samuel Hansard Yockney, who was engineer for the construction of Box Tunnel on the Great Western Railway and worked for Isambard Kingdom Brunel on other tunnel projects. The contract for
378-421: A specialized method called clay-kicking for digging tunnels in clay-based soils. The clay-kicker lies on a plank at a 45-degree angle away from the working face and rather than a mattock with his hands, inserts with his feet a tool with a cup-like rounded end, then turns the tool with his hands to extract a section of soil, which is then placed on the waste extract. Clay-kicking is a specialized method developed in
441-434: A tube can be sunk into a body of water, which is called an immersed tunnel. Cut-and-cover is a simple method of construction for shallow tunnels where a trench is excavated and roofed over with an overhead support system strong enough to carry the load of what is to be built above the tunnel. There are two basic forms of cut-and-cover tunnelling: Shallow tunnels are often of the cut-and-cover type (if under water, of
504-747: A tunnel than a sufficiently strong bridge). Some water crossings are a mixture of bridges and tunnels, such as the Denmark to Sweden link and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia . There are particular hazards with tunnels, especially from vehicle fires when combustion gases can asphyxiate users, as happened at the Gotthard Road Tunnel in Switzerland in 2001. One of the worst railway disasters ever,
567-432: A tunnel. Bridges usually require a larger footprint on each shore than tunnels. In areas with expensive real estate, such as Manhattan and urban Hong Kong , this is a strong factor in favor of a tunnel. Boston's Big Dig project replaced elevated roadways with a tunnel system to increase traffic capacity, hide traffic, reclaim land, redecorate, and reunite the city with the waterfront. The 1934 Queensway Tunnel under
630-491: Is allowed in this tunnel tube, and motorcyclists are directed to the other tube. Each level was built with a three-lane roadway, but only two lanes per level are used – the third serves as a hard shoulder within the tunnel. The A86 Duplex is Europe's longest double-deck tunnel. Board of Trade Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include
693-547: Is an underground or undersea passageway. It is dug through surrounding soil, earth or rock, or laid under water, and is usually completely enclosed except for the two portals common at each end, though there may be access and ventilation openings at various points along the length. A pipeline differs significantly from a tunnel, though some recent tunnels have used immersed tube construction techniques rather than traditional tunnel boring methods. A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic , for rail traffic, or for
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#1732772330295756-505: Is intended to carry both the Istanbul metro and a two-level highway, over a length of 6.5 km (4.0 miles). The French A86 Duplex Tunnel [ fr ] in west Paris consists of two bored tunnel tubes, the eastern one of which has two levels for light motorized vehicles, over a length of 10 km (6.2 miles). Although each level offers a physical height of 2.54 m (8.3 ft), only traffic up to 2 m (6.6 ft) tall
819-430: Is relatively long and narrow; the length is often much greater than twice the diameter , although similar shorter excavations can be constructed, such as cross passages between tunnels. The definition of what constitutes a tunnel can vary widely from source to source. For example, in the United Kingdom, a road tunnel is defined as "a subsurface highway structure enclosed for a length of 150 metres (490 ft) or more." In
882-401: Is sometimes necessary during the excavation of a tunnel. They are usually circular and go straight down until they reach the level at which the tunnel is going to be built. A shaft normally has concrete walls and is usually built to be permanent. Once the access shafts are complete, TBMs are lowered to the bottom and excavation can start. Shafts are the main entrance in and out of the tunnel until
945-515: Is that the open building pit is muted after tunnel construction; no roof is placed. Some tunnels are double-deck, for example, the two major segments of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge (completed in 1936) are linked by a 160-metre (540 ft) double-deck tunnel section through Yerba Buena Island , the largest-diameter bored tunnel in the world. At construction this was a combination bidirectional rail and truck pathway on
1008-698: Is the Siloam Tunnel , built in Jerusalem by the kings of Judah around the 8th century BC. Another tunnel excavated from both ends, maybe the second known, is the Tunnel of Eupalinos , which is a tunnel aqueduct 1,036 m (3,400 ft) long running through Mount Kastro in Samos , Greece. It was built in the 6th century BC to serve as an aqueduct . In Ethiopia , the Siqurto foot tunnel , hand-hewn in
1071-569: The Balvano train disaster , was caused by a train stalling in the Armi tunnel in Italy in 1944, killing 426 passengers. Designers try to reduce these risks by installing emergency ventilation systems or isolated emergency escape tunnels parallel to the main passage. Government funds are often required for the creation of tunnels. When a tunnel is being planned or constructed, economics and politics play
1134-533: The Beeching cuts and stations either side of the tunnel, ( Blaenrhondda and Blaengwynfi ), were closed at the same time. Following a decade of disuse, in 1980, both portals were covered over and landscaped to prevent unauthorised intrusions, which had become commonplace since its closure. The Rhondda Tunnel Society was formed in September 2014. Its short-term goal was to replace the tunnel's portal stone, above
1197-471: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was not aware of this bill and had not asked for a grant for such a project. Increased taxes to finance a large project may cause opposition. Tunnels are dug in types of materials varying from soft clay to hard rock. The method of tunnel construction depends on such factors as the ground conditions, the groundwater conditions, the length and diameter of
1260-848: The Queens-Midtown Tunnel between Manhattan and the borough of Queens on Long Island ; the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel between Michigan and Ontario ; and the Elizabeth River tunnels between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia ; the 1934 River Mersey road Queensway Tunnel ; the Western Scheldt Tunnel , Zeeland, Netherlands; and the North Shore Connector tunnel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . The Sydney Harbour Tunnel
1323-472: The River Mersey at Liverpool was chosen over a massively high bridge partly for defense reasons; it was feared that aircraft could destroy a bridge in times of war, not merely impairing road traffic but blocking the river to navigation. Maintenance costs of a massive bridge to allow the world's largest ships to navigate under were considered higher than for a tunnel. Similar conclusions were reached for
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#17327723302951386-679: The United Kingdom of digging tunnels in strong clay-based soil structures. This method of cut and cover construction required relatively little disturbance of property during the renewal of the United Kingdom's then ancient sewerage systems. It was also used during the First World War by Royal Engineer tunnelling companies placing mines beneath German lines, because it was almost silent and so not susceptible to listening methods of detection. Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and associated back-up systems are used to highly automate
1449-610: The canton of Glarus . The borehole has a diameter of 8.03 metres (26.3 ft). The four TBMs used for excavating the 57-kilometre (35 mi) Gotthard Base Tunnel , in Switzerland , had a diameter of about 9 metres (30 ft). A larger TBM was built to bore the Green Heart Tunnel (Dutch: Tunnel Groene Hart) as part of the HSL-Zuid in the Netherlands, with a diameter of 14.87 metres (48.8 ft). This in turn
1512-409: The mortar between bricks in places. Several lengths of arch were relined when sections of brickwork became loose and fell onto the track. Speed restrictions were imposed to guard against the threat posed by a collision with debris. A survey in 1967 revealed severe distortion around the middle of the tunnel close to a geological fault . The rate of deterioration was so severe that the inspector closed
1575-489: The water table . This pressurizes the ground ahead of the TBM cutter head to balance the water pressure. The operators work in normal air pressure behind the pressurized compartment, but may occasionally have to enter that compartment to renew or repair the cutters. This requires special precautions, such as local ground treatment or halting the TBM at a position free from water. Despite these difficulties, TBMs are now preferred over
1638-689: The 16th century as a metaphor for a narrow, confined space like the inside of a cask. Some of the earliest tunnels used by humans were paleoburrows excavated by prehistoric mammals. Much of the early technology of tunneling evolved from mining and military engineering . The etymology of the terms "mining" (for mineral extraction or for siege attacks ), " military engineering ", and " civil engineering " reveals these deep historic connections. Predecessors of modern tunnels were adits that transported water for irrigation , drinking, or sewerage . The first qanats are known from before 2000 BC. The earliest tunnel known to have been excavated from both ends
1701-638: The 1960s. The main idea of this method is to use the geological stress of the surrounding rock mass to stabilize the tunnel, by allowing a measured relaxation and stress reassignment into the surrounding rock to prevent full loads becoming imposed on the supports. Based on geotechnical measurements, an optimal cross section is computed. The excavation is protected by a layer of sprayed concrete, commonly referred to as shotcrete . Other support measures can include steel arches, rock bolts, and mesh. Technological developments in sprayed concrete technology have resulted in steel and polypropylene fibers being added to
1764-716: The 1971 Kingsway Tunnel under the Mersey. In Hampton Roads, Virginia , tunnels were chosen over bridges for strategic considerations; in the event of damage, bridges might prevent US Navy vessels from leaving Naval Station Norfolk . Water-crossing tunnels built instead of bridges include the Seikan Tunnel in Japan; the Holland Tunnel and Lincoln Tunnel between New Jersey and Manhattan in New York City ;
1827-709: The Middle Ages, crosses a mountain ridge. In the Gaza Strip , the network of tunnels was used by Jewish strategists as rock-cut shelters, in first links to Judean resistance against Roman rule in the Bar Kokhba revolt during the 2nd century AD. A major tunnel project must start with a comprehensive investigation of ground conditions by collecting samples from boreholes and by other geophysical techniques. An informed choice can then be made of machinery and methods for excavation and ground support, which will reduce
1890-498: The Rhondda Valley and Blaengwynfi in the Afan Valley. Progress slowed because of manpower shortages and water seepage. Progress was restored when the original contractor, William Jones, was replaced by Lucas and Aird , who brought in more men. Completed on 2 July 1890, the tunnel has a single 58-foot (18 m) ventilation shaft around 105 yards (96 m) from its western end. It is almost 1,000 feet (300 m) feet below
1953-599: The United States, the NFPA definition of a tunnel is "An underground structure with a design length greater than 23 m (75 ft) and a diameter greater than 1,800 millimetres (5.9 ft)." The word "tunnel" comes from the Middle English tonnelle , meaning "a net", derived from Old French tonnel , a diminutive of tonne ("cask"). The modern meaning, referring to an underground passageway, evolved in
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2016-400: The blocky nature of rocks, the exact location of fault zones, or the stand-up times of softer ground. This may be a particular concern in large-diameter tunnels. To give more information, a pilot tunnel (or "drift tunnel") may be driven ahead of the main excavation. This smaller tunnel is less likely to collapse catastrophically should unexpected conditions be met, and it can be incorporated into
2079-466: The capacities of the Taff Vale and Cardiff Docks Railways . A typical return journey that took two days because of congestion and inadequate handling was a hindrance to customers, particularly the coal shipping facilities at Swansea . There was a demand for another railway line to relieve the situation. The Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway (R&SBR) was incorporated on 10 August 1882. It established
2142-502: The concrete mix to improve lining strength. This creates a natural load-bearing ring, which minimizes the rock's deformation . By special monitoring the NATM method is flexible, even at surprising changes of the geomechanical rock consistency during the tunneling work. The measured rock properties lead to appropriate tools for tunnel strengthening . In pipe jacking , hydraulic jacks are used to push specially made pipes through
2205-670: The delays led to William Jones being stripped of the contract in favour of Westminster-based Lucas and Aird in September 1889. The new contractor brought 1,600 men on site and 300 more houses were built at the Rhondda side. Electric lighting was installed in the tunnel and progress was restored. On 2 May 1890, the Rhondda Tunnel was inspected by Colonel Rich of the Board of Trade . He said the tunnel should have been fully lined and would not authorise its use for passenger traffic until it
2268-477: The eastern end of the line that took 15 months to resolve. Early reports by Yockney to the R&;SBR's directors were positive, ground conditions were favourable and there was little water ingress. The tunnellers who worked from shafts driven into either end of the approach cuttings were equipped with compressed air -powered rock drills and were boring into the sandstone at 240 yards (220 m) per month. Because of
2331-409: The entire tunnelling process, reducing tunnelling costs. In certain predominantly urban applications, tunnel boring is viewed as a quick and cost-effective alternative to laying surface rails and roads. Expensive compulsory purchase of buildings and land, with potentially lengthy planning inquiries, is eliminated. Disadvantages of TBMs arise from their usually large size – the difficulty of transporting
2394-577: The entrance of the tunnel at Blaencwm. The Blaengwynfi portal stone is in the Afan Forest Park . In the long term, the society aims to raise money to reopen the tunnel as a cycle path. In September 2017 the society was awarded a £90,000 grant from the Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund to allow three surveys of the tunnel to be undertaken: In May 2018, the tunnel was opened up so that surveys could take place. Balfour Beatty declared that 95% of
2457-441: The final tunnel or used as a backup or emergency escape passage. Alternatively, horizontal boreholes may sometimes be drilled ahead of the advancing tunnel face. Other key geotechnical factors: For water crossings, a tunnel is generally more costly to construct than a bridge. However, both navigational and traffic considerations may limit the use of high bridges or drawbridges intersecting with shipping channels, necessitating
2520-405: The ground behind a TBM or shield. This method is commonly used to create tunnels under existing structures, such as roads or railways. Tunnels constructed by pipe jacking are normally small diameter bores with a maximum size of around 3.2 metres (10 ft). Box jacking is similar to pipe jacking, but instead of jacking tubes, a box-shaped tunnel is used. Jacked boxes can be a much larger span than
2583-640: The immersed-tube type), while deep tunnels are excavated, often using a tunnelling shield . For intermediate levels, both methods are possible. Large cut-and-cover boxes are often used for underground metro stations, such as Canary Wharf tube station in London. This construction form generally has two levels, which allows economical arrangements for ticket hall, station platforms, passenger access and emergency egress, ventilation and smoke control, staff rooms, and equipment rooms. The interior of Canary Wharf station has been likened to an underground cathedral, owing to
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2646-435: The inevitable smoke and steam. A major disadvantage of cut-and-cover is the widespread disruption generated at the surface level during construction. This, and the availability of electric traction, brought about London Underground's switch to bored tunnels at a deeper level towards the end of the 19th century. Prior to the replacement of manual excavation by the use of boring machines, Victorian tunnel excavators developed
2709-468: The large TBM to the site of tunnel construction, or (alternatively) the high cost of assembling the TBM on-site, often within the confines of the tunnel being constructed. There are a variety of TBM designs that can operate in a variety of conditions, from hard rock to soft water-bearing ground. Some TBMs, the bentonite slurry and earth-pressure balance types, have pressurized compartments at the front end, allowing them to be used in difficult conditions below
2772-629: The lower deck with automobiles above, now converted to one-way road vehicle traffic on each deck. In Turkey, the Eurasia Tunnel under the Bosphorus , opened in 2016, has at its core a 5.4 km (3.4 miles) two-deck road tunnel with two lanes on each deck. Additionally, in 2015 the Turkish government announced that it will build three -level tunnel, also under the Bosporus. The tunnel
2835-483: The older method of tunnelling in compressed air, with an airlock/decompression chamber some way back from the TBM, which required operators to work in high pressure and go through decompression procedures at the end of their shifts, much like deep-sea divers . In February 2010, Aker Wirth delivered a TBM to Switzerland, for the expansion of the Linth–Limmern Power Stations located south of Linthal in
2898-540: The operation of empty and loaded trains at the same time. The temporary way is replaced by the permanent way at completion, thus explaining the term " Perway ". The vehicles or traffic using a tunnel can outgrow it, requiring replacement or enlargement: An open building pit consists of a horizontal and a vertical boundary that keeps groundwater and soil out of the pit. There are several potential alternatives and combinations for (horizontal and vertical) building pit boundaries. The most important difference with cut-and-cover
2961-522: The project is completed. If a tunnel is going to be long, multiple shafts at various locations may be bored so that entrance to the tunnel is closer to the unexcavated area. Once construction is complete, construction access shafts are often used as ventilation shafts , and may also be used as emergency exits. The New Austrian Tunnelling method (NATM)—also referred to as the Sequential Excavation Method (SEM) —was developed in
3024-490: The proper machinery must be selected. Large infrastructure projects require millions or even billions of dollars, involving long-term financing, usually through issuance of bonds . The costs and benefits for an infrastructure such as a tunnel must be identified. Political disputes can occur, as in 2005 when the US House of Representatives approved a $ 100 million federal grant to build a tunnel under New York Harbor. However,
3087-482: The risk of encountering unforeseen ground conditions. In planning the route, the horizontal and vertical alignments can be selected to make use of the best ground and water conditions. It is common practice to locate a tunnel deeper than otherwise would be required, in order to excavate through solid rock or other material that is easier to support during construction. Conventional desk and preliminary site studies may yield insufficient information to assess such factors as
3150-402: The section of line that included the Rhondda Tunnel was awarded to Neath -based contractor William Jones and William Sutcliffe Marsh was the resident engineer. As of 2016, the Rhondda Tunnel is the second longest in Wales at 3,443 yards (3,148 m). On 30 May 1885, the ground was broken for the tunnel which was expected to be completed in three years. Progress was hindered by land purchase at
3213-542: The sheer size of the excavation. This contrasts with many traditional stations on London Underground , where bored tunnels were used for stations and passenger access. Nevertheless, the original parts of the London Underground network, the Metropolitan and District Railways, were constructed using cut-and-cover. These lines pre-dated electric traction and the proximity to the surface was useful to ventilate
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#17327723302953276-401: The surface at its deepest point. The tunnel's single track line split into double track on either side of its portals. Within decades of opening, the tunnel lining became distorted because of mining activity in the close vicinity. Between 1938 and 1953, around 500 steel ribs were installed to address the issue but it continued to deteriorate and speed limits were imposed. In 1969, the tunnel
3339-400: The tunnel drive, the depth of the tunnel, the logistics of supporting the tunnel excavation, the final use and the shape of the tunnel and appropriate risk management. There are three basic types of tunnel construction in common use. Cut-and-cover tunnels are constructed in a shallow trench and then covered over. Bored tunnels are constructed in situ, without removing the ground above. Finally,
3402-513: The tunnel is in as good a condition as when it opened, and the tunnel could potentially be reopened. Highways England is responsible for the tunnel and is unwilling to reopen it but is willing to transfer ownership to the Welsh government or local authorities. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council announced in July 2018 that it was working with Neath Port Talbot and Merthyr Tydfil Councils to secure the reopening of
3465-492: The tunnel to traffic on safety grounds. On 26 February 1968, it was closed as a temporary measure, whilst a decision was made on the future of the line. In December 1970, the Ministry of Transport announced the withdrawal of passenger services via the tunnel, citing a decline in usage and the provision of a bus service. The ministry deemed the estimated cost of repair at £90,000 was prohibitive. This conveniently coincided with
3528-480: The tunnel's depth, in excess of 900 feet (270 m), intermediate shafts to speed construction were discounted. The tunnellers faced dire conditions, resulting in injuries and deaths, several due to rock falls and explosions. By 1887, the tunnelling had slowed to 70 yards (64 m) per month which was attributed to a shortage of men and underground springs. The completion date was moved to 31 July 1889. The headings met on 16 March 1889 and were perfectly aligned, but
3591-729: The tunnel. The UK government transport secretary, Grant Shapps announced in December 2021 that he would be happy to hand over ownership and control of the tunnel to the local council, Welsh government or a local group. If the project is successful, it will become the longest cycle tunnel in Europe and the second longest in the world after the 4,000-metre (4,400 yd) Snoqualmie Tunnel in Washington state . 51°40′05″N 3°35′17″W / 51.668°N 3.588°W / 51.668; -3.588 Railway tunnel A tunnel
3654-501: The tunnel. Within decades the seams were exploited and the tunnel began to distort. Between 1938 and 1953, around 500 steel ribs were installed to resist pressure which was causing inward movement of the side walls and pushing-up of the crown particularly towards eastern end. It did not solve the problem and a settlement of 15 inches (38 cm) was recorded over a 12-year period. More problems were caused by substantial water penetration from underground springs which weakened and washed out
3717-428: The two most common being bored tunnels or immersed tubes , examples are Bjørvika Tunnel and Marmaray . Submerged floating tunnels are a novel approach under consideration; however, no such tunnels have been constructed to date. During construction of a tunnel it is often convenient to install a temporary railway, particularly to remove excavated spoil , often narrow gauge so that it can be double track to allow
3780-454: Was closed temporarily on safety grounds. In December 1970, the Ministry of Transport closed the tunnel permanently, rather than financing repairs. In 1980, both entrances were filled. During the 2010s, the tunnel was surveyed with the intention of reopening it as a cycleway. During much of the 1800s, the rich coal deposits of the Rhondda were important to the local economy. By the 1870s, the volume of coal being extracted threatened to exceed
3843-575: Was constructed to provide a second harbour crossing and to alleviate traffic congestion on the Sydney Harbour Bridge , without spoiling the iconic view. Other reasons for choosing a tunnel instead of a bridge include avoiding difficulties with tides, weather, and shipping during construction (as in the 51.5-kilometre or 32.0-mile Channel Tunnel ), aesthetic reasons (preserving the above-ground view, landscape, and scenery), and also for weight capacity reasons (it may be more feasible to build
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#17327723302953906-405: Was done. The contractors installed 759 yards (694 m) of brick arch above the arched concrete sidewalls which took less than 54 days because Lucas and Aird had anticipated such a requirement. On 2 July 1890, the Rhondda Tunnel was opened. The R&SBR had failed to purchase adjacent coal seams above and below the tunnel which was common practice to prevent other parties from mining and damaging
3969-732: Was superseded by the Madrid M30 ringroad , Spain, and the Chong Ming tunnels in Shanghai , China. All of these machines were built at least partly by Herrenknecht . As of August 2013 , the world's largest TBM was " Big Bertha ", a 17.5-metre (57.5 ft) diameter machine built by Hitachi Zosen Corporation , which dug the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel in Seattle, Washington (US). A temporary access shaft
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