Gamuda AU & Herrenknecht: First A-TBM for Sydney Metro West

04 Apr 2022 | Gamuda Australia

Gamuda Australia signed world-leading TBM manufacturer, Herrenknecht as its major subcontractor for the AUD$2.16b Western Tunnelling Package (WTP), bringing Australia’s first A-TBM for the Sydney Metro West project. Herrenknect will design, build and deliver the machines ahead of tunnelling works commencing in late 2023. The machines will feature artificial intelligence software, developed by Gamuda, that will be used to automatically steer, operate, and monitor various TBM functions.

Within weeks of being awarded the $2.16b Western Tunnelling Package by Sydney Metro, two major subcontracts vital to the project’s success have been finalised between the Gamuda Australia and Laing O’Rourke Consortium and key delivery partners.

The order is official for two autonomous tunnel boring machines (TBM) from world-leading manufacturer Herrenknecht. Herrenknecht will design, build and deliver the machines ahead of tunnelling works commencing in late 2023. The machines will feature artificial intelligence software developed by Gamuda that will be used to automatically steer, operate, and monitor various TBM functions. The TBMs will be used to build the city’s next metro rail tunnels as part of the Sydney Metro West project between Westmead and Sydney Olympic Park.

On the same day, the Design Joint Venture agreement was signed between GHD, SMEC and the Gamuda Australia Laing O’Rourke Consortium, marking another significant step towards delivering this important project.

Project Director Simon Hussey said: “Having these major contracts in place less than three weeks after the main contract award is a testament to the collaboration and dedication of the project team and our delivery partners. It’s a significant achievement for a major project.”