The Norfolk tunnel on the M2 motorway in northwest Sydney, New South Wales, Australia will be widened to accommodate three traffic lanes and one break down lane in each direction.
The May 2010 M2 Upgrade Environmental Assessment showed the need for works, which will go on around the clock through the tunnel section, which is anticipated to be the most challenging portion.
Works will include widening works of the rock walls; rock bolting of the existing tunnel to shore up the new, wider span and pin the secondary lining and the provision of new electrical and service trenches. The east and westbound tunnel tubes were both found to be in good geotechnical condition and works have been scheduled to take approximately 26 months.
“This AUD 550M (USD 588.94M) project will deliver more than AUD 1.7bn (USD 1.82bn) in economic returns to the people of New South Wales,” said Mark Birrell, chairman of infrastructure advocacy group, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia.
“The partnership between the [New South Wales government agency], the Roads & Traffic Authority and [the toll road owner and operator], Transurban, means that it will be delivered at no cost to the taxpayer. This project shows that private investment is available to bridge the gap in public infrastructure.”
