THE NEW SOUTHERN RAILWAY: CONNECTING SYDNEY TO THE WORLD

This article describes the project for constructing the New Southern Railway (NSR), which will link various parts of Sydney, Australia, with Sydney's international airport. The NSR will also provide an additional link between Sydney's central business district and its East Hills Railway. The NSR will have about 10km of tunnels, four underground railway stations, and an interchange station. The tunnels will include: (1) 2.4km of tunnel excavated in rock; (2) about 6km of 9.5m diameter circular tunnel, bored through soft ground, including sands, silts, and clays; (3) a short section of cut and cover; (4) a 160m river crossing; and (5) a crossing under a six-lane road. The NSR is being constructed under a build, own, operate, and transfer (BOOT) contract for the underground stations, and a design and construct contract for the tunnels, track, and interchange station. The two airport stations will be funded, leased, operated, and staffed by the private sector during a 30-year concession period. The private sector will design, construct, and maintain these stations, together with the NSR's public sector parts. The NSR will run trains every 7.5-10min during peak periods. The article includes details of the tunnelling and excavation work, and of the tunnel boring machines and other tunnelling equipment used.