The construction of Lima and Callao Metro reached a new milestone with the tunnel boring machine crossing “Micaela” under the bed of the Rímac River. The machine excavates the tunnel of the branch of the Line 4 and advances at about 16 meters per day between stations Quilca and Morales Duarezin it Callaowithout affecting the surface.
The construction of Lima and Callao Metro reached a new milestone with the tunnel boring machine crossing “Micaela” under the bed of the Rímac River. The machine excavates the tunnel of the branch of the Line 4 and advances at about 16 meters per day between stations Quilca and Morales Duarezin it Callaowithout affecting the surface.
Through his social networks, the Supervisory Body for Investment in Public Use Transportation Infrastructure (Ositrán) reported that this step constitutes one of the most technically complex sections of the project. According to the concessionaire, so far 570 meters of tunnel have been excavated, of which approximately 75 meters correspond to what was excavated under the riverbed. Rímac river.
As part of the engineering works, in the section between the Quilca and Morales Duárez stations, 330 structural rings, made up of 2,310 concrete segments, have already been installed inside the tunnel. This ensures the stability and security of the infrastructure.
According to Ositrán, if the work pace is maintained, the tunnel boring machine is expected to cross the Rímac River in approximately 3 days. Subsequently, “Micaela” will continue its journey to the Morales Duárez station, where it is estimated that it will arrive around the fortnight of August of this year.
“We continue to monitor the progress of the works in accordance with the technical conditions established in the concession contract,” added Ositrán.
LEARN MORE: These are the districts through which Lines 3 and 4 of the Lima Metro will pass
Line 2 and the branch of Line 4 make up the first completely underground metro in Peru. Together, both infrastructures will total 35 kilometers in length and 35 stations, connecting the Ate district with Callao and the surroundings of the Jorge Chávez International Airport.

“Micaela” tunnel boring machine crosses the Rímac River as a new advance for Line 4. (Photo: Andina)
Once the project is completed, the travel time between Ate and Callao will be reduced to approximately 45 minutes, compared to the more than two hours that the journey by conventional transportation can currently take.
It should be noted that the tunnel boring machine, named “Micaela” in homage to the Peruvian heroine Micaela Bastidas, continues to play a key role in one of the most important infrastructure works currently being carried out in the country.
















