Tunnelling Solutions has been awarded the contract to deliver the Estelle Street sewer relocation as part of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades in Victoria.
Part of a broader plan to improve capacity and connectivity across Melbourne’s transport network, the Eastern Freeway Upgrades are being delivered in three stages. The sewer relocation sits within Stage One of the program – Burke to Tram Road – led by the Eastern Freeway – Burke to Tram Alliance, comprising Major Road Projects Victoria, Laing O’Rourke, Symal, Arcadis and WSP.
The Burke to Tram Road package will deliver six new express lanes to reduce congestion, dedicated Eastern Busway lanes with park-and-ride at Bulleen and Doncaster, and 11km of walking and cycling paths. It will also include 11 kilometres of new and upgraded noise walls, eight million new trees and plants, and the revitalisation of 43,700 square metres of the Valda Wetlands.
Other major features include a new interchange at Bulleen, upgrades to Doncaster Interchange, and improvements to Doncaster Park and Ride and the Eastern Busway.
Tunnelling Solutions’ scope of work involves temporary shaft excavation, installation of a new 980-metre DN1400 sewer line using its recently acquired fleet of micro tunnel boring machines (MTBMs), as well as the construction of new manholes and live tie-in connections.
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Serhat Baycan, CEO of Tunnelling Solutions, said the company’s specialist capabilities and technology were well-matched to the demands of the project.
“Tunnelling Solutions is pleased to be involved in this significant piece of infrastructure, which will have a positive impact on Melbourne’s increasing population,” said Baycan. “We look forward to bringing to the project our unique expertise in delivering complex infrastructure and working alongside the alliance to deliver a safe and successful project.”
Work on the Estelle Street sewer relocation is set to commence in mid-May 2025 and will take approximately 12 months to complete.
The Eastern Freeway Upgrades form part of a trio of major infrastructure projects alongside the North East Link tunnels and the M80 Ring Road Completion in Greensborough. Together, the three projects will address a long-standing gap in Melbourne’s freeway network, remove 15,000 trucks from local roads each day, and reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes.