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Historic under Harbour rail tunnels underway

02.08.2019

TBM Kathleen digging under the Harbour TBM Kathleen digging under the Harbour

The historic first rail crossing deep under Sydney Harbour is underway after Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Kathleen launched 30 metres below ground from Barangaroo.

TBM Kathleen has already tunnelled the first 100 metres of its one kilometre journey underneath the Harbour.

Once the first tunnel is complete, Kathleen will then build the second tunnel under Sydney Harbour before being retrieved at Blues Point and taken away by barge.

The machine is expected to tunnel through clay, silt and sediment and will use state-of-the-art tunnelling technology to safely make its way under the harbour.

Four TBMs have already completed over half of the 31 kilometres of tunnel for Sydney Metro City & Southwest.

This specialised TBM is named after Kathleen Butler, who played a vital role in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as the technical advisor to legendary engineer John JJC Bradfield.

It is expected to take TBM Kathleen about four months to complete her first tunnel.

Together, all five TBMs will deliver twin 15.5 kilometre rail tunnels for Australia’s biggest public transport project.

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