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Second phase of tunnel investigations begin for North-South Corridor in SA

Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash

The South Australian Government has begun procurement for the second and final phase of technical investigations into the North-South Corridor.

Stretching 10.5 kilometres between River Torrens and Darlington the corridor will be constructed over the next decade, creating 4000 jobs.

The final section of the corridor will be the most complex to deliver due to its location, ground conditions, unique heritage assets and social character. Investigations will determine how the combination of tunnelling and surface-level motorway will work best.

Phase One of the tunnel investigations began in August 2020 and have included the examination of around 200 locations along the corridor. This stage is due to be complete by the end of February 2021.

Phase Two works will focus on around 200 investigations on the southern section of the project alignment, with procurement set to begin this month.

Works will include geotechnical, groundwater and hydrogeological investigations. Crews are expected to start in April 2021, with completion set for the end of the year.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Corey Wingard, said the investigations form an important part of the project.

“The final stage of this project is hugely complex and it is important we undertake these investigations to inform the planning process,” Wingard said.

“When Phase One is complete, experts would have drilled approximately 5.5 kilometres – roughly the distance from the CBD to the airport.”

He said some of the data collected hasn’t been seen before and will benefit the state in years to come.

“This second phase will focus on the southern section of the alignment and will help to inform the reference design.

“It is important to note the locations chosen have been selected to build a comprehensive corridor-wide ground model and do not necessarily correspond to areas that will be impacted by the project in the final design,” Wingard said.

The Federal and South Australian Governments have committed $5.4 billion towards the North-South Corridor project.


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