Orascom Construction has completed the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) breakthrough on its CP402 contract for Phase 1 of Cairo Metro Line 4, The Tunnelling Journal reported on 27 October 2026. The machine finished its excavation between Fustat and Malek El Saleh stations, on the eastern part of the new line in the Egyptian capital.
Twin slurry TBMs on a 5.4km underground section
The eastern section includes an underground stretch of about 5.4km with twin running tunnels. Two identical slurry TBMs supplied by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry (CRCHI) are assigned to the work, each with an external diameter of 6.4m. Once the segmental lining is installed, the internal diameter is about 5.8m. The report says the second machine is ready to start the parallel tunnel on the same alignment.
CP402 covers civil, tunnelling and MEP works for five underground stations, a turn-back facility and the running tunnels, with roughly 8km of tunnelling planned in total. Orascom’s 2025 annual report puts each tunnel at about 3.75km. UK-based Joseph Gallagher Ltd is advising on TBM specification, excavation methods, plant and operations, and the on-site specialist team is expected to grow to about 25 people during tunnelling.
Construction started in the first quarter of 2024, with completion scheduled for 2030. In September, Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels reported about 65% overall progress on Line 4 Phase 1 and about 46% on the eastern civil works. Phase 1 runs for about 19km with 17 stations, 16 of them underground, and will connect with Line 2 at Giza and Line 1 at Malek El Saleh.
What it means for drilling operations
A first breakthrough is also a useful checkpoint. With a second identical machine about to start on the same alignment, the crew can take what the first drive taught them about cutting tool wear, slurry circuit components and hydraulic systems into the next one.
The same logic applies to drill rigs in mines and quarries. Urban tunnelling leaves little room for unplanned stoppages, and a routine wear part that is not on hand when needed can stop a machine for longer than the repair itself takes. Recording actual component life on one heading, then using those records to plan service intervals and spare parts stock for the next, is one of the simplest ways to protect a schedule.
At Razor Spare, we supply high-quality alternative spare parts for rock drilling equipment, helping contractors and mine operators keep their machines working between planned services.
Source: The Tunnelling Journal – “Orascom achieves first TBM breakthrough on Cairo Metro Line 4”, 27 October 2026.
https://tunnellingjournal.com/orascom-achieves-first-tbm-breakthrough-on-cairo-metro-line-4/
This article is an original summary prepared by Razor Spare based on the source above.