The giant tunnel boring machine, which set off from Swanscombe seven months ago to dig the first Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) tunnel, has completed its mission.
Known as Milly the Muncher Cruncher, the 1,100 tonne machine has finished the 2.5km tunnel under the Thames and into Essex.
Digging 100 metres a week, it places concrete rings behind it to reinforce the tunnel.
Work on the second tunnel for London-bound trains will start once Milly is replaced by another 95m machine in Swanscombe.
The work is part of the CTRL project, which is due to be completed in 2007.
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