Two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have been ordered to build rail tunnels for the Sydney Metro West project, with the first machine set to start digging by the end of the year.
The two TBMs are part of the $1.96 billion Central Tunnelling Package awarded in July to the Acciona Ferrovial Joint Venture.
TBM manufacturer Herrenknecht was contracted to design, build, and deliver the TBMs, following a global tender process.
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Each TBM will tunnel an average of 200 metres per week and will be operated by a team of 15 workers per shift as they dig the 11-kilometre twin tunnels from The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park.
These are the first of six TBMs being used to build the 24-kilometre tunnels from the Sydney CBD to Parramatta. The two borers are 1266 tonne, 165 metre long double-shield, hard rock, gripper-type TBMs, designed to excavate through sandstone and shale.
The machines will be built for the conditions of the project, with design improvements taken on board from the experience of building more than 30 kilometres of tunnels for Sydney Metro Northwest and City & Southwest.