| NEWS
Hudson Tunnel looks to early works US – The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) has launched two procurement calls that pave the way for the Hudson Tunnel Project. The contracts are for the construction
of the Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation packages, respectively, and are early work components of the tunnel project. The bridge will carry Tonnelle Avenue
in North Bergen, New Jersey over the alignment of the new Hudson River Tunnel. The Tonnelle Avenue right of way will connect directly to the opening for the underground portion of the Hudson Tunnel at the western slope of the New Jersey Palisades. It is the first early work in New Jersey
for the new Hudson Tunnel and the first construction contract managed by GDC. Construction is expected to begin later
in 2023. The 2.4-mile two-tube tunnel under the
Hudson River will provide a new connection between New York and New Jersey. The project also involves refurbishing Amtrak’s existing more than a century-old North River rail tunnel, which was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor is the most heavily-used passenger rail line in the US. The contracts, being procured on
behalf of GDC with the support of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, include an Invitation for Bid for a contractor to build the project and a Request for Proposal for Construction Management Services for a firm to assist GDC in oversight and management of the project.
Delve names CM lead in Pacific NW US – Delve Underground has appointed tunneller Mun Leong as Vice President to lead the construction management teams in the Pacific Northwest areas of Oregon and Washington states, and also the Canadian province of British Columbia. Current tunnel projects in the region
involving with construction management input include Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, North Mercer Island Interceptor, and Enatai Interceptor Upgrade. The new VP has 24 years of construction
management experience, mainly in tunnels and shafts, and including TBM and SEM works, for water and transport projects. His experience is on both contractor- and client-side teams. The work he has
undertaken also included project controls and claims work. Sarah Wilson, Principal and Construction
Management Practice Lead, said the appointment “represents the next step” in Delve Underground’s commitment to construction management practice. Delve Underground is employee-owned
and recently came to be the rebranded tunneling team in McMillen Jacobs Associates after the water resources division was separated off from the group. The rebranding took place in late 2022. Clients were also consulted on the rebrand. The business was founded in 1954 as Jacobs Associates.
Sydney milestone on WestConnex road link AUSTRALIA – The Acciona Samsung Bouygues Joint Venture (ASBJV) has delivered one of the final major components of Australia’s largest road infrastructure project, WestConnex, which opened in February, early. The 7.5km-long (4.7 miles) mega tunnels
in Sydney provide a critical new link between the M4 at Haberfield and the M8 at St Peters, reducing journey times between Western Sydney and Sydney Airport by up to 40 minutes. The WestConnex project started in
August 2018. The M4 and M8 link is the third stage
of the Aus$16.8 billion (US$11.34 billion) WestConnex project being delivered in a partnership between the Government of New South Wales and the Commonwealth ,which has contributed a Aus$1.5 billion (US$1 billion) grant and a A$2 billion (US$1.35 billion) concessional loan. The final stage of WestConnex will be
completed once the Rozelle Interchange opens later in 2023. Catherine King, the Federal minister
for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government said the tunnels were constructed using more sustainable materials and energy-efficient technology, requiring less maintenance. “The project has also achieved key
sustainability ratings, with around 8.7 million tonnes of spoil beneficially reused, including at the future Western Sydney International Airport site,” she said. ASBJV has also catalogued its project
achievements, including: investment in native Aboriginal community participation over the life of the project (relating to education, employment, cultural awareness training, mentoring, and business);
development of female participation in the construction sector; and, having won two awards for sustainability.
Geotech work starts for Swiss cargo tunnels SWITZERLAND – Geotechnical investigations have commenced for Switzerland’s proposed underground freight tunnel network, Cargo Sous Terrain (CST). Test drilling will be carried out at
depths of up to 100m. The findings are to be used to help plan the first, 70km-long (43.5 miles) section of the project from Härkingen to Zurich. CST is planned to stretch from Geneva
to St Gallen, providing a tunnel network for automated, driverless electric freight vehicles. The first section, connecting the Härkingen-Niederbipp hub with Zurich, is scheduled to open in 2031 and CST plans to create a 500km-long (310 miles) national underground cargo tunnel network by 2045. In June 2022, Switzerland’s Federal
Council agreed that the law on underground goods transport could come into effect, creating the legal basis for the privately financed freight transport project. CST’s investors include industry companies Afry, Pini, Implenia and Siemens.
Parsons wins Saudi contract SAUDI ARABIA – Parsons Corporation has been selected to provide construction project management consultancy and contract administration services for a mega real estate project in Saudi Arabia, which includes a 5km-long (3 miles) road tunnel. Under the US$15m contract, which is part
of the Rua Al-Madinah project in the holy city of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Parsons will manage the main infrastructure works, including the tunnel, road and utility works. The vehicle tunnel will be a concrete
rectangular structure measuring 105ft x 33ft (32m x 10m). Located in a central area of the city, the tunnel is designed to improve traffic flow to the city centre where Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, known in English as the Prophet’s Mosque, is located. The Rua Al-Madinah project is a key
initiative of Saudi Vision 2030, designed to elevate the city’s cultural and historical heritage, improve the quality of life for its residents, and enrich the visitor experience for Islamic pilgrims. The 1.5 million m2 development is to provide open, green spaces and new modes of transport that will provide easy access to the mosque, surrounding residences, and commercial spaces.
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