Construction of the US$402M cross city tunnel in Sydney, Australia got under way last month, with the excavation of the 42m deep shaft.
Baulderstone Hornibrook and global parent Bilfinger Berger won the design and construction contract to build the 2.2km long tunnel. It will run between the eastern edge of Darling Harbour and Kings Cross, cutting east to west travel times in central Sydney from 20 minutes, to just two minutes.
Baulderstone Hornibrook will also be responsible for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the completed tunnel, which will fund itself through users paying a US$1.50 charge each way.
Twin 5m (approximate) tubes will be excavated at depths of up to 50m. Construction is expected to finish by late 2004.
