City Rail Link: It’s almost tunnel time
The City Rail Link (CRL) has now entered the final stage of preparation works on Albert Street before tunnel construction works begin.
Steel struts are installed on Albert Street ahead of tunnel excavation
The top 1.5m of road surface is being removed on the eastern side of the road between Wyndham and Swanson Streets before installing the second half of the temporary steel work required to support the walls of the trench in which the future CRL tunnels will be constructed.
In a few weeks, a temporary deck will be constructed over the top of these steel struts, which will allow working room over the top of the trench for excavators and haulage trucks.
A lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction throughout these works.
On the remainder of Albert Street between Swanson and Customs Street, work continues to tie together and brace the 20m-deep piles installed to support the trench walls.
Excavation has also started on the third part of a traffic deck at the Customs/Albert Street intersection. When the deck is finished, it will form a ‘bridge’ over the entire intersection, letting traffic flow while CRL tunnels are constructed beneath.