12. North West Rail Link

The highly anticipated rail infrastructure project, North West Rail Link is now 'on track' to build Australia's largest tunnel project. The tender that obtained this major project is a joint venture between Thiess John Holland Dragados (TJHD). Recently being awarded the $1.15 billion Tunnel and Station Civil Works contract, TJHD will undertake construction of two 15 kilometre long tunnels with a 6.1 metre diameter. That's a pretty narrow tunnel, it looks like the currently running double decker trains won't be operating on the NWRL. Instead they'll be be running single-deck trains which are supposed to be more efficient. Looks like Sydney is following suit to the rest of the world's railway systems.

Image Source: Sydney Morning Herald

I wanted to bring attention to the custom made Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) which will be used to construct the tunnels. I was first exposed to TBMs in my second year of study, in Soil Mechanics. Never knowing how tunnels were created, I was in awe over the large piece of machinery. I hope it won't be too long till I see one in action.

The two remaining contracts associated with the NWRL are still waiting to be signed. The Surface and Viaduct Civil (SVC) contract aims to build the 4 kilometre skytrain and associated civil works including embankments and cuttings for the railway and the Operations, Trains and Systems (OTS) contract will deliver the new-generation single deck trains, install tracks and signalling which is to be awarded in 2014.

There is still a very long way to go, with the expected finishing date to be in 2019. The opening of eight new stations, Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Showground, Norwest, Bella Vista, Kellyville, Rouse Hill and Cudgegong Road will open up the Hills area to the rest of Sydney.

Sources:
North West Rail Link to be state of the art
Thiess, John Holland JV to Build Australia’s Longest Tunnels