Private partner sought for new Sydney Harbour tunnel

3 August 2020


The government of New South Wales (NSW), Australia is seeking a partner from the private sector to help deliver the Western Harbour Tunnel. Construction of the 6.5km twin-bore immersed tube scheme is expected to start after 2022. When completed, it will be the second road tunnel under Sydney Harbour.

A private sector alliance is seen by the NSW government as allowing it to leverage private sector expertise and innovation, including fresh ways of procuring and delivering projects.

Exact project costs of the multi-billion development are unknown at present but the government stated they will only be disclosed when construction contracts have been awarded. Also uncertain at present is exactly how the government intends to finance the tunnel.

Opposition to the project is mounting: local community groups are concerned over environmental, traffic and health issues, while the Labour opposition is calling for a recalculation of the project’s cost-benefit ratio. Concerns have also been raised by the state’s port authority which warns that dredging for the immersed tubes could produce large amounts of contaminated sludge.

Yet despite the calls for a rethink, the government seems intent on proceeding with the Western Harbour Tunnel project. It is planned to extend from Rozelle to the Warringah Freeway in North Sydney.