CPB Contractors, with its joint venture partner, is using remote-controlled excavators to construct cross passages between the rail tunnels for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, Station Boxes and Tunnelling (SBT) project. This innovative approach prioritises worker safety and enables efficient tunnel construction in the limited space within the tunnels.
Critical to on-time completion, the project delivery team is using small, remote-controlled machines to excavate 39 cross passages along the 9.8km of tunnels.
CPB Contractors Project Director, Will Freelander shares that using this remote-controlled technology is another way the delivery team is innovating to ensure safety, efficiency and accuracy.
“Beyond the benefits of allowing workers to operate the machines from a safe distance, these compact excavators excel in the restricted underground environment. Their size allows for efficient and accurate excavation, shaping, and trimming of the mini tunnels”, adds Will.
CPB Contractors is delivering the SBT project in a joint venture with Ghella. Works include the design and construction of 9.8 kilometres of twin tunnels and excavations for stations at St Marys, Orchard Hills, Airport Business Park, Airport Terminal and Aerotropolis and services facilities at Claremont Meadows and Bringelly.