Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 12, The TBM drive for Sydney’s Western Harbour Tunnel project is set to begin once the twin launch caverns are fully prepared. The two tunnel boring machines (TBMs), named Barangaroo and Patyegarang, are the largest of their kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

The famous Sydney Harbour Bridge will benefit from lower traffic volumes once the new Western Harbour Tunnel project is complete in 2028

These machines will construct dual bores over a distance of 1.5 km at a depth of 50 meters below sea level. This tunnel section forms a critical part of the 6.5 km link connecting the Warringah Freeway with the Rozelle Interchange.

The Western Harbour Tunnel, scheduled for completion in 2028, will feature three lanes in each direction. It is expected to reduce traffic on key Sydney routes, including a 35% decrease on the Western Distributor, a 20% reduction for the existing Harbour Tunnel, and a 17% drop for the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

By creating this additional capacity, the project aims to improve traffic flow across the city and provide a more efficient route for commuters traveling between the northern and western suburbs of Sydney.

The launch caverns, recently completed, will serve as the starting point for the TBMs, allowing the large machines to begin their excavation safely and efficiently. Barangaroo and Patyegarang are specifically designed to handle the complex geology under Sydney Harbour, ensuring safe tunneling while minimizing environmental impacts.

This Western Harbour Tunnel section will play a pivotal role in Sydney’s broader transport network, complementing existing motorways and enhancing connections across the city. The project underscores ongoing investment in major infrastructure to support urban mobility and reduce congestion on heavily trafficked routes.

Once operational, the tunnel will also improve travel reliability for freight and commercial vehicles, providing a vital link between Sydney’s northern and western corridors while easing pressure on the city’s central arteries.

Overall, the Western Harbour Tunnel project represents a significant step forward in Sydney’s infrastructure development, combining advanced tunneling technology with strategic planning to meet growing transport demands and enhance road network efficiency by the late 2020s.