The fourth and final Herrenknecht TBM to be used to bore the $1.8bn Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project has been named TBM Marlene after Dr Marlene Kanga AO, who is a global leader in engineering and a role model to women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
The TBM’s name was unveiled at a special launch ceremony held at the Orchard Hills metro station site, with representatives from six local primary schools that participated in a TBM naming competition in attendance.
TBM Marlene will tunnel 4.3km, from Orchard Hills to St Marys, to carve out the metro tunnel alongside TBM Catherine which is currently about 100m into its journey.
The TBM will tunnel at an average speed of 120m a week and is expected to arrive at the St Marys metro station site in mid-2024.
The launch of TBM Marlene means all four TBMs are now in the ground to build the 23km Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport that will become the transport spine for Greater Western Sydney, connecting communities and travellers with the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and the growing region.
The tunnelling contract was awarded in December 2021 to CPB Contractors and Ghella Joint Venture to build the new twin metro rail tunnels.
The Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line will be operational when Western Sydney International Airport opens for passenger services. The tunnelling contract is due to complete in 2024.
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