The 12-month anniversary of the commencement of Stage 2 works on the new Western Harbour Tunnel has passed, with the tunnelling for the road crossing now over 60 per cent complete.
2.9 kilometres of twin three-lane road runnels have been excavated by six roadheaders working around the clock. Work has recently passed underneath North Sydney and is progressing towards the harbour at roughly 25 metres per week.
The 6.5-kilometre Western Harbour Tunnel is expected to open to traffic in 2028 and will be the first new road crossing of the harbour constructed in over 30 years.
Minister for Roads John Graham says the project is progressing well overall.
“From Westconnex to Sydney Metro to the Western Harbour Tunnel, NSW has the premier underground construction workforce anywhere in the world.” Graham says. “We want to thank the 5800 workers for what they have achieved so far.
“At the 12-month mark of Stage 2 we are seeing great progress, with more than 60 per cent of the entire tunnelling task now complete and the project on schedule to provide the first new road crossing of Sydney Harbour in more than 30 years.
“Anyone who has cross the harbour by road knows the system is constrained and the Western Harbour Tunnel will provide much needed relief, slashing travel times by 20 minutes on a journey from North Sydney to Leichardt or Sydney Olympic Park.”
The first stage of tunnelling work – twin 1.7km road tunnels to Birchgrove that connect into the Rozelle Interchange – is almost complete.
Late next year the largest tunnel boring machines ever used in the southern hemisphere will be assembled underground at Birchgrove and tunnel under the harbour floor to connect at Waverton.
The Western Harbour Tunnel will be opened under public ownership once complete.
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