Brisbane’s Airport Link Tunnel project reached its latest milestone earlier this month as the first TBM began to be lowered into a six-storey tunnel launch box at Kalinga Park.
The USD 45M TBM, Airport Link’s first of two, arrived in pieces last November and was progressively assembled by a crew of approximately 80 people. The 195m long machine weighs 240t.
Airport Link comprises twin 5.1km road tunnels, and the two TBMs will be used to excavate the tunnels between Clayfield and Lutwyche.
The tunnels are being excavated using a combination of techniques involving TBMs, smaller roadheader machines and cut and cover construction.
The Airport Link project is being constructed together with the Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron), requiring a total of 15km of tunnels and their connecting ramps.
Fifteen roadheaders are now digging tunnels between Bowen Hills and Kedron. Another two roadheaders have been delivered to worksites at Lutwyche and Wooloowin and will begin work shortly. More than a quarter of the tunnels are now excavated.
In late July the first of the TBMs is expected to begin its 12 month journey from Toombul to Lutwyche. The machines will fit out the tunnel with its concrete lining as they move forward at about 85m per week.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said, “The sections each weighing between 85t and 105t are being lowered by a massive gantry crane. In total, two 150t and three 40t cranes are required to lower these massive machines into place.”
“Later this month the 12.48m wide cutterhead, the biggest to ever operate in this country, will be lowered into position,” Bligh continued.
On completion in 2012, constructor Thiess John Holland will reinstate the work site at Toombul and return Kalinga Park to the local community. When it opens in 2012, Airport Link will be the first major motorway connecting Brisbane city with the airport and northern suburbs, avoiding up to 18 sets of traffic lights.
