As summer winds down, DART’s winding up, especially when it comes to moving forward on projects like the D2 Subway. We know that it’s been awhile since we dug in (pun intended) to the details of the D2 Subway. That’s why we’re giving you a refresh on the ins and outs of how DART plans to break ground on North Texas’ newest subway. Check out the info below to learn all you need to on portals, tunnel boring machines, stations, and more.
Anatomy of a Subway
Although a subway station may not look like much from the outside, once you move underground, there is an open subterranean level that can accommodate many people as they move to and from the subway.
Some folks might think a portal means a station, but not so when it comes to subway construction. Unlike fully developed subterranean stations, portals simply refer to the entrance and exit from below ground to above-ground. Learn more about the proposed portal locations for the D2 Subway.
Digging underground is a lot more difficult than it may first appear. Different structures underground including the foundations of buildings, utility wires, and a system of pipes can present challenges when building a new underground mode of transit. Learn more about a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) that assists in creating a safe tunnel for the D2 Subway.
As an alternative to the tunnel boring machine, the Sequential Evacuation Method (SEM) may be employed. Additionally the Cut and Cover method may be used in transition areas from a portal to the actual tunnel until it reaches significant depth.
Breaking down the D2 Subway
Just like the anatomy of the human body looks at all of the complex bones, ligaments, and muscles that make a body function; the anatomy of a subway takes a look at all of the intricate engineering pieces that go into making an underground train function safely, and efficiently. We know that large-scale transit projects like the D2 Subway can be confusing, so that’s why we’ve broken it down into smaller sections, so take a look at these “anatomic” parts, and sign up for updates so you can get the latest on the D2 Subway.