Geotechnical drilling on the Yarra River has begun as part of the Melbourne Metro Rail Project.
Victoria’s Acting Premier James Merlino joined Acting Minister for Public Transport Luke Donnellan to announce the beginning of works on a floating barge, from which the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority will gather information from deep under the Yarra.
From the floating work-site, 12 boreholes will be dug up to 35 metres below the riverbed, providing critical information about ground conditions. This information will help determine the exact technical specifications of the twin tunnels and how they will be built.
The two tunnels under the Yarra will be excavated using tunnel boring machines and sit around seven metres below the riverbed.
Geotechnical investigations will continue for the next six weeks at various points on the river, ahead of enabling works in 2017 and the start of major construction in 2018.
The Government has already committed AUD 4.5 billion (USD 3.1 billion) to Melbourne Metro Rail.
The new tunnels under the Yarra River will carry high-frequency, high-capacity trains into the heart of the city and enable 20,000 extra passengers to catch the train in peak hour. After four wasted years under the previous Liberal Government, who abandoned Melbourne Metro Rail, we’re getting on with the projects that Victorian’s need,” Acting Minister for Public Transport Luke Donnellan said.
Share on:
