The City of Cape Town recently unveiled its new micro-tunnelling machine, which forms part of the city’s R250 million Sanitation Master Plan and is set to speed up the digging of underground tunnels to lay sewer pipes.

The AVN 800 XC Herrenknecht micro-tunnelling machine was acquired at a cost of just over R10.6 million and comes with technology that enables safe, fast and efficient tunnelling in even the most difficult pipe jacking projects.

The machine has been used in more than 1 000 projects around the world. It is controlled with a laser navigation system that allows for precise positioning, has a built-in crusher that can reduce boulders to smaller pieces, and offers extra safety in less stable geological conditions (which is useful for tunneling operations in the sandy Cape Flats soil).

Putting it to the test on CF3

The AVN 800 XC will be put to the test by CSV Construction during the final phase of the Cape Flats 3 Bulk Sewer Project (CF3).

The CF3 (Phase 2) is a critical component of the City’s sewer network and will serve a population of nearly one million residents in the Bonteheuwel, Heideveld, Manenberg, Gugulethu and Nyanga areas.

This project forms part of the City’s Sanitation Master Plan to enhance the sewer reticulation system and will ultimately be completed by the end of 2017 at a total cost of approximately R250 million.

The extra capacity that the CF3 construction will provide will allow the City to periodically decommission other sewer infrastructure in the area for much-needed maintenance, repairs and rehabilitation.

“Acquiring this technology is a major step forward for the City and will allow for greater efficiency of future bulk pipe replacement projects. The project team is to be congratulated for their vision and innovation. Staying on the cutting edge of new technology is crucial to ensuring that the City is able to provide the best possible service to residents,” says Councillor Ernest Sonnenberg, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services.