By Lynda Myer
Acciona Construction Australia, has awarded the contract of detailed design for Sydney’s Western Harbour Tunnel to an Aecom and Aurecon joint venture, whereas it is delivering stage two of Sydney’s third harbour crossing.
The next content of this project after the acceptance of an alternative client reference design, is due to be delivery of a detailed design of the Western Harbour Tunnel by Aecom joint venture that avoids dredging by using TBMs instead of an immersed tube tunnel.
According to Richard Barrett, chief executive of Aecom’s Australia and New Zealand region: “The improved design and construction method is an excellent example of industry collaboration and is expected to deliver significant reductions to the amount of steel and concrete required, as well as other environmental benefits, compared to the original reference design.”
Providing a western bypass of the CBD, the Western Harbour Tunnel with A$4.24bn (US$2.89bn/£2.36bn) value will take pressure off the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel, and Anzac Bridge. It is slated to link to WestConnex at the Rozelle Interchange, cross beneath Sydney Harbour between Birchgrove and Waverton, and connect with the Warringah Freeway near North Sydney via a 6.5km with three lanes in each direction.
While construction of stage one is undergoing, building of the 1.7km of tunnels from Rozelle to Birchgrove is up to a John Holland and CPB joint venture.
