Sydney’s Metro West project is set to harness Australia’s first autonomous tunnel boring machines (TBMs), as it works to build twin 9km rail tunnels.
The AUD$2.16bn Western Tunnelling Package will see two TMBs used, initially tunnelling towards Sydney Olympic Park.
New South Wales government awarded the contract to a joint venture between construction engineering company Gamuda Australia and English construction firm Laing O’Rourke earlier this year. It has since appointed manufacturer Herrenknecht to design, build and deliver the TBMs for this part of the project.
These TBMs will use Gamuda’s AI software to automatically steer, operate and monitor the machines progress. An operator will remain in control, while the TMBs complete repetitive tasks with greater precision and accuracy, the joint venture said.
Major civil works have now started at The Bays, it is expected tunnelling will commence late next year with completion by 2025.
Ewan Yee, executive director, Gamuda Australia, said: “This is a very exciting transport project for Gamuda to deliver. Gamuda brings decades of international experience in metro rail construction and engineering innovation.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with the NSW government and Sydney Metro to ensure the benefits of this project are released through job creation, local and sustainable procurement as well as community partnerships for Western Sydney.”
