By rosebell
The joint venture is assembling the machine ahead of its planned launch later in October. Piper will bore towards the Kissing Point Road receival shaft as part of the project to upgrade drinking water infrastructure on Sydney’s North Shore.
Direct Pipe Technology to Minimise Surface Impact
The underground section will be constructed using Direct Pipe technology, which combines tunnel excavation with the installation of the new pipeline behind the tunnelling machine.
The method will allow the project team to install the drinking water pipeline beneath the river and national park while minimising surface disruption in the environmentally sensitive area.
The 1.3m-diameter mTBM will excavate the 680m alignment, providing a trenchless solution for the section where conventional open-cut construction would have a greater surface impact.
The drive is scheduled for completion in early March 2027.
Replacing Sydney’s 1936 Water Pipeline
The Ryde to Pymble Pipeline Upgrade is replacing the original water pipeline, which was built in 1936, to support the drinking water network serving Sydney’s North Shore.
McConnell Dowell and Gamuda Australia hold a A$157m (€98m) contract for the project. The works involve installing more than 10km of DN900 water main between the Ryde Pump Station and Wahroonga Reservoir.
Construction combines open-trench installation with trenchless methods to deliver the new pipeline across different sections of the route.
The project is intended to renew ageing water infrastructure while using trenchless construction in locations where minimising surface disturbance is particularly important.
