Name: Western Harbour tunnel project reaches new milestone
Uploaded: 2025-11-05T06:28:11.262Z
Duration: 1 min 34 s
Description: The two largest boring machines in the southern hemisphere are being used under the ground of Birchgrove as part of the Western Harbour tunnel project. The three-lane tunnel will connect Birchgrove to North Sydney.

The two largest boring machines in the southern hemisphere are being used under the ground of Birchgrove as part of the Western Harbour tunnel project. The three-lane tunnel will connect Birchgrove to North Sydney.

Birchgrove

Construction is underway beneath Birchgrove Oval in New South Wales, where two of the largest tunnel boring machines in the Southern Hemisphere are being assembled to dig a 1.5-kilometre tunnel. The project aims to create a three-lane connection between Birchgrove and North Sydney, with anticipated reductions in congestion on key routes including the Western Distributor and Harbour Bridge.

Tunnelling is scheduled to begin next year, with the tunnel expected to open for traffic by 2028. The project will be funded by tolls in both directions, and government officials are continuing to consider options for toll reform as construction progresses.

Western Harbour tunnel project reaches new milestone

Below the grass at Birchgrove Oval, an underground workshop is gearing up for a mammoth task. This cavern and another just like it have been purpose built to assemble the two largest tunnel boring machines in the Southern Hemisphere. Everything has to fit with micrometer connectivity. It has to be right. Named Barangaroo and Patagurang, the twin giants will be built over a few months. Before they begin a one and a half kilometre dig. Making way for the three lane tunnel connecting Birchgrove to North Sydney and cutting congestion on the Western Distributor by 35%, the Harbour Bridge by 17% as well as the existing tunnel by 20%. But could it cause a bottleneck on the other side? You're still going into the Ringa Freeway, yes. We will continue to assess how that new motorway has integrated with the surrounding network. Until then, there's a huge job to do. It's difficult to grasp the size until you're standing inside it. But this cavern alone is big enough to swallow 22 Olympic swimming pools. And once built, the boring machines will fill much of this space. Tunnelling will start next year. By 2028, traffic will be flowing through. But it will take a toll on your wallet both ways. The reality is that that was part of the way that this was to be funded. And when it comes to toll reform, the government is still digging for answers. Tallulah Thompson, 10 News.

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