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Borumba hydro focus on exploratory works AUSTRALIA - Queensland Hydro plans to start exploratory works for the underground Borumba pumped hydropower project later in 2026 after recently receiving regulatory approval. The exploratory phase will gather key


geotechnical data to advance the design development and refine the business case for the project, pending state approvals. The project is located at Lake Borumba, 180km north of Brisbane. Queensland Hydro’s executive chair, Mark


Irwin, said the planned project is a critical component of the state’s future energy mix. “Delivering major infrastructure projects


requires meticulous planning to avoid unforeseen risks. One of the most effective strategies for achieving this is undertaking comprehensive exploratory works before finalising designs and commencing future main works construction activities.” If the project proceeds to main works


construction, it will require further commonwealth and state approvals.


Steam curing boost for segment production SAUDI ARABIA - Steam-curing technology has accelerated the production timeline for segments to line the East Jeddah Sewerage Tunnel, which recently achieved two-thirds completion. Tunnel boring for the National Water


Company sewer is working from a single shaft using two 4.12m-diameter Herrenknecht EPB shield machines, driving in opposite directions to build much of the line. The varied geology comprises diorite,


granodiorite, gneiss and coral limestone. Thrustboring Construction Co (TCC)


said most segments (six per ring) had been manufactured. The production boost from steam-curing technology enabled segments to be on site and eliminated supply chain risks.


Harding Prize UK - SWinner of the 2026 BTS Harding Prize Competition was Matthew Gibson of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, and BMB JV, for a paper titled ‘Construction of the shaft slipform secondary lining at Thames Tideway West’, describing experience on part of the JV project. Four competition finalists presented


their papers to the BTS evening meeting on 19 March, at the ICE in London. The finalists were praised by the judges for their “remarkable quality and professionalism.”


Moacyr Sreder Bastos road tunnel, in Rio de Janeiro, was officially opened in early March


BRAZIL - The Moacyr Sreder Bastos road tunnel in Rio de Janeiro’s western neighbourhood of Campo Grande was officially opened in early March. The country has also recently seen other milestones for road tunnels - in São Paulo city and state. The President, Luiz Inácio Lula


da Silva, and Rio’s Mayor, Eduardo Paes, inaugurated the opening of Moacyr Sreder Bastos road tunnel, construction for which started in August 2023. The new tunnel comprises two parallel tubes, each approximately 500m-long, both with two lanes in each direction. Moacyr Sreder Bastos Tunnel


is part of the first phase of the Campo Grande Ring Road, designed to reduce the 3km-long journey between Estrada da Caroba and Estrada da Posse to only three minutes. The new connection also aims to improve traffic flow throughout the region and slightly raise the average traffic speed on surrounding roads. The first phase also includes a 400m-long underpass beneath Avenida Cesário de Melo, creating a direct link between Estrada do Monteiro and Viaduto Alim Pedro. The tunnel is named after Moacyr


Sreder Bastos, an educator and entrepreneur from Campo Grande. In the city of São Paulo, Acciona


was recently awarded a contract to build a new road section, including two tunnels and three viaducts. The


4.7km-long stretch will connect Avenida Jornalista Roberto Marinho with Rodovia dos Imigrantes, one of the country’s main logistics arteries and a key link between the city and coast. The contract, valued at


R$2.099bn (US$388m), includes the construction of three new lanes in each carriageway and a cycle lane. The project also includes drainage works to divert an existing stormwater channel and the development of a landscaped park with recreational areas. Acciona is also currently


delivering Line 6 of the São Paulo Metro. Also in São Paulo state, in February


Mota-Engil signed a 30-year Public Private Partnership (PPP) concession for the construction, operation and maintenance of Brazil’s first underwater tunnel - the Santos- Guarajá Tunnel. The tunnel will be approximately


1.5km-long, with an 870m-long section passing beneath the access channel to the Port of Santos. It will comprise three lanes in each direction, a line for light rail vehicles, cycle paths and areas for pedestrians. The construction phase is expected


to take five years. The PPP contract value is R$7.8bn (US$1.42bn). The new crossing will reduce


vehicle journey times from an hour to five minutes and boost the competitiveness of the Port of Santos – the largest in Latin America.


April 2026 | 9


Milestones for three Brazil road tunnels


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