Tunnel Boring Machine “TBM” refurbished by Webuild in Italy, previously used by NGE and Webuild consortium on Grand Paris Express Line 16, now redeployed after being adapted to the specific requirements of Line 15, Lot 2

An industrial choice in favour of the circular economy, aimed at reducing costs and CO2 emissions

River transport for excavated materials

80% of materials reused

Implementation of fibre-reinforced concrete lining

Saint-Étienne-du-Grès (France), January 29, 2026 – NGE and Webuild today celebrated the arrival and factory acceptance of the Tunnel Boring Machine “TBM” that will excavate the 7 kilometres of tunnel for Lot 2 of Line 15 West of the Grand Paris Express, a contract with a total value of €1.38 billion. The TBM, refurbished by WEM (Webuild Equipment & Machinery), a company of the Webuild Group, is now ready to begin work on the tunnel linking the Bécon-les-Bruyères station to the Saint-Denis–Pleyel hub, in the Paris region.

Delivered on behalf of Société des grands projets, the project lies at the heart of the Grand Paris Express, Europe’s largest transport and urban development programme. Lot 2, known as “M2 West”, forms part of the future Line 15, which will become the longest metro line in France. Line 15 will serve 45 municipalities across four administrative districts in the Paris region. Ninety-five percent of its stations will be connected to the existing transport network, including commuter rail, regional express services, metro lines, trams and buses.

For NGE and Webuild, the factory acceptance of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) marks a key milestone for the project. Previously deployed by the two partners under their consortium on Line 16, Lot 2 of the Grand Paris Express, the machine has been fully refurbished to meet the technical requirements of the new contract.

More than 100 metres long and with a cutting diameter of 9.86 metres, the TBM will excavate 7 kilometers of tunnel. The project includes the installation of approximately 23,000 segments, 79% of which will be made of fibre-reinforced concrete, as well as the excavation of around 500,000 m³ of excavated materials, 80% of which will be reused. Excavated materials will be transported by river to disposal and reuse sites, avoiding the equivalent of 64,000 truck movements on local roads. The use of fibre-reinforced concrete segments halves the amount of steel required, while enhancing strength and long-term durability.

This new assignment for the TBM reflects the industrial continuity and expertise developed by NGE and Webuild on the Grand Paris Express. By extending the service life of a major piece of equipment, the partners are adopting a responsible approach that reduces the project’s carbon footprint and optimizes the use of resources—an industrial strategy that combines operational performance with environmental commitment.

NGE and Webuild thus renew a strong partnership on this flagship project, their third collaboration on the Grand Paris Express. Together, they have already delivered the southern extension of Metro Line 14 to Orly Airport (4.1 km of tunnel) and Line 16, Lot 2 (11 km).