Frequently asked questions (FAQs) and publications:
The tunnel boring machine (TBM) tunnel is 6km long. Together with mined tunnel sections and cut and cover sections we are building a 6.5km tunnel.
The TBMs we’ll be using to build the longer 6km section of the North East Link tunnels are among the largest in the southern hemisphere. They’ll be 90m long, 15.6m in excavated diameter and weigh more than 4000 tonnes each.
Detailed traffic studies have determined the 3 lanes of traffic in each direction are ample capacity for the section of the North East Link tunnels that will be built using the TBMs between Watsonia and Bulleen.
Tunnelling will start in mid-2024 and finish in late 2026. Once we start tunnelling, we will work 24/7 throughout the year and each TBM will advance around 15m each day.
With thousands of tunnels operating around the world and millions of people living above them with no impact on their daily lives, we know tunnels can be built safely and without affecting buildings and properties above ground.
Some people and places directly above or very near where works are happening underground could experience minor levels of vibration or ground movement, but we’ve done a lot of work to assess the likely impacts and it is unlikely to cause damage to properties.
Monitoring points at the surface will be used during construction to help monitor any vibration or ground movement and manage works underground.
The Spark team building the tunnels will also be in touch with residents ahead of works, offering a building condition survey. In the unlikely event building damage does occur, this will assist with repairs. Find out more by reading the TBM tunnelling fact sheet.
Find copies of newsletters, fact sheets, work notices and other materials in our library.
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