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Clem Jones Tunnel (formerly North South Brisbane Tunnel NSBT)

The Clem Jones Tunnel (formerly North South Brisbane Tunnel - NSBT) represents an enormous contribution to the City of Brisbane's avowed target of coming to terms with existing and future demands posed on transport and the infrastructure. This project will enable north-south through traffic to be brought together between Woolloongabba and Bowen Hills, to undertunnel the Brisbane River and create links from and to the east via Shafston Avenue at Kangaroo Point. The River City Motorway Consortium is financing the project and will supervise Operation. After a 45-year concession period is concluded the Clem Jones Tunnel will be handed over to the City of Brisbane. The total project is 6.8 km long and embraces 2 two-lane tunnels each 4.8 km long, which will considerably reduce the flow of inner urban traffic and facilitate a number of urban construction improvement measures. Including access and exit ramps a total of 10.4 km of tunnels is to be driven. Each tube, one each for northbound and southbound traffic, possesses an excavated diameter of approx. 12.40 m. Emergency exits set up 120 m apart (roughly 5 m wide and 5 m high) lead to safe zones. 3.5 mill. t of earth will be removed, 70 % of this total by means of two hard rock TBMs (double shield with 12.40 m diameter). In addition up to 7 roadheaders will be used. The special Features of the Clem Jones Tunnel are:

  • Connecting ramps from and to Shafston Avenue
  • Linking up with inner urban traffic in the north and south
  • Transition portals to ensure the greatest possible safety far motorists
  • Smoke gas ducts throughout the entire length of the tunnel
  • Two ventilation outlets with exhaust air stacks
  • Electronic toll system
  • Tunnel safety system (24 h surveillance).

A number of construction sites distributed throughout the city were set up to achieve this sophisticated and complex project, on which a work force of up to 1,200 is involved at peak times. After its completion the Clem Jones Tunnel will be Australia's longest and technically most advanced.

 

  • Country: Australia
  • Region: Brisbane, Queensland
  • Tunnel utilization: Traffic
  • Type of utilization: Road Tunnel
  • Client: Brisbane City CounciI
  • Consulting Engineer: Maunsell Parsons Brinckerhoff JV/Bilfinger Berger/Golder Associates
  • Contractor: Leighton Contractors/Baulderstone/Bilfinger Berger
  • Main construction method: Trenchless
  • Type of excavation: Shield machine (SM)/Roadheader
  • No. of tubes: 2
  • Tunnel total length: 6.8 km (total), 4.8 km (2 twin-lane tunnels)
  • Cross-section: 60 to 185 m²
  • Contract Volume: 1,167 mill. euros
  • Construction start/end: 48 months
  • Opening: 2010