John Holland-CPB JV wins new NSW Western Harbour Tunnel works contract

The New South Wales Government has signed an agreement with the joint venture between John Holland and CPB Contractors for the design and construction of the Southern Tunnelling Works package as part of the Western Harbour Tunnel (WHT) development. 

This agreement is a variation of the joint venture’s existing Rozelle Interchange contract, extending the scope of works to include enabling works that will allow for the seamless integration of the Western Harbour Tunnel into Sydney’s motorway network. 

These works will also help reduce construction impacts on the local community residing along the project route. 

“The Western Harbour Tunnel will be an important addition to Sydney’s transport network. It will ease traffic congestion on the existing harbour crossings and improve Sydney’s liveability. We are very pleased to be involved in the delivery of additional infrastructure to meet Sydney’s future transport needs,” CIMIC Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Juan Santamaria said. 

“Our teams are currently delivering the Rozelle Interchange and will leverage that experience to ensure that the enabling works are delivered safely and to schedule. Our teams delivered the M4 widening, the M4 East, the M8, and have demonstrated capability in delivering complex transport projects in Sydney. Our aim will be to deliver works while minimising any disruptions to the community,” CPB Contractors Managing Director Jason Spears said. 

The joint venture will be undertaking the delivery of additional works including 1.7 kilometres of mainline road tunnels that run from the Rozelle Interchange to Birchgrove Oval as well as ventilation tunnels, ramps and other services. 

Expanding the scope of works will build on the already established resources, expertise and site access that the joint venture has delivered through the Rozelle Interchange, which will fast track the progress of this part of the Western Harbour Tunnel development. 

“Today’s announcement is a win for the community. The Western Harbour Tunnel is a key transport project for Sydney, today’s announcement means it can now be delivered faster with savings for taxpayers and fewer impacts to the local community and environment,” John Holland CEO Joe Barr said. 

This Western Harbour Tunnel project will compromise the delivery of Rozelle parklands or the completion of the Rozelle Interchange – which is due in 2023. 

Excavation works on the Western Harbour Tunnel – Southern Tunnel Works will commence in mid-2022 and is anticipated to be completed by mid-2025. 

Key features of the Western Harbour Tunnel development include: 

• Approximately 6.5-kilometre-long twin tunnels with three lanes in each direction 
• Tunnels to be mostly drive, with the crossing of Sydney Harbour between Birchgrove and Waverton being immersed tubes 
• Tunnel-to-tunnel connection to the M4-M5 Link near Rozelle Interchange 
• Future connection options for Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway 
• Surface connections to City West Link at Rozelle and to Warringah Freeway, Falcon Street and Berry Street in North Sydney 
• Ancillary infrastructure to enable ongoing operation of the tunnel 

Source: John Holland; CPB Contractors; CIMIC Group; NSW Government – Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade; Australia New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline