A new highway and tunnel project for Adelaide in South Australia is costing $11 billion (A$15.4 billion). The tunnel is being driven by three TBMs, with the first having been named Mary and made ready to play its part in driving the 4.5km tunnel. The other two TBMs have yet to be commissioned but will be named Catherine and Elizabeth. All three are named in honour of leading Australian women in history.
The first TBM is commencing its drive from Clovelly Park and will head in the direction of the Anzac Highway. The three large TBMs being used for the project have all been supplied by German firm Herrenknecht. Smaller tunnelling equipment is also being used for the project.
The T2D Project is for the construction of the last 10.5km stretch of the North-South Corridor (NSC).
Once it is complete, the new route will provide 78km of non-stop, traffic light free highway between Gawler and Old Noarlunga. The new link will reduce congestion in the city and cut journey times for drivers, allowing them to bypass 21 sets of traffic lights between the River Torrens and Darlington as they travel between two separate tunnels, connected by an open highway.
