Geotechnical drilling on the Yarra River has begun as part of the largest public transport project in Victoria’s history – the Melbourne Metro Rail Project.
The Melbourne Metro Rail authority will use a floating barge from which to gather information from deep under the Yarra.
From this floating work-site, 12 boreholes will be dug up to 35 metres below the riverbed, which will provide critical information about ground conditions. This information will help determines the exact technical specifications of the projects twin tunnels and how they will be built.
Tunnel boring machines have already been selected to excavate the two tunnels, which sit around seven metres below the riverbed.
Geotechnical investigations will continue for the next six weeks at various points on the river, ahead of enabling works in 2017 and the start of major construction in 2018.
Melbourne Metro Rail Project will unlock the centre of the train system, create space for 20,000 extra passengers in peak hour, and pave the way for future expansion of Victoria’s rail network.