NSW - New $2.3b rail line shows a few cracks
Chris D
a.. Linton Besser
b.. March 19, 2009
THE NSW Government is undertaking electronic monitoring of the $2.3 billion
Epping to Chatswood rail line after cracks appeared in the tunnel and its
builders conceded the infrastructure would not survive a mandated 100-year
life span.
A 24-metre section of the tunnel is under surveillance for any movement
while trains continue to use the line and plans are being drawn up to repair
the tunnel. The cracks were discovered six to eight weeks ago.
The area is where pits were dug to drop in the tunnel-boring machines that
carved the length of the 13-kilometre underground railway, near the corner
of the M2 and Delhi Road.
The cracks appeared in the arches that were built to support the roof of
this section, which was replaced after the boring was completed.
The tunnel's builders, Thiess Hochtief, are worried that it will not last
until 2109, a minimum life span dictated by the NSW Government contract.
The Government insists the tunnel is safe for passengers.
Last year the Herald revealed serious defects had emerged in the project
that threatened its long-term reliability, after being leaked a secret
Government report which exposed thousands of flaws in the way the tracks
were fixed to concrete slabs.
The line was meant to open in 2006, but only opened for shuttle services on
February 23. Full operation has been deferred until November after
revelations that noise levels inside test trains were equivalent to a Boeing
737 coming in to land.
Yesterday the Transport Minister, David Campbell, said the repairs to the
tunnel itself would be fully funded by the contractor.
"Work has commenced and I am advised at this stage that it will not disrupt
passenger services and will be undertaken at no cost to Government," he
said.
Independent safety advisors say the cracks do not pose "any immediate safety
risks in relation to either the rectification works or the safe operation of
trains", Mr Campbell said.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/new-23b-rail-line-shows-a-few-cracks-20090318-925t.html
David Bennetts
Regards
David Bennetts
Chris D
"David Bennetts" <davibenn...@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:49c176df$0$5637$5a62...@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> Wonder what the tunnel wilkl be used for in 2109? Growing mushrooms?
>
Perhaps they can used the inundated parts for fish or eel farming?
Regards....Chris
Mauried
If the tunnel is required to have a mandated 100 year life span and
the builders are admitting already that it wont, why isnt the State
Govt demanding that the tunnel be totally dismantled and a new one
built.
Bill Bolton
> Govt demanding that the tunnel be totally dismantled and a new one
> built.
What was it about "a 24-metre section of the tunnel" which was unclear
to you? <rolls eyes>
Bill Bolton
Sydney, Australia
Kevin Martin
>
> If the tunnel is required to have a mandated 100 year life span and
> the builders are admitting already that it wont, why isnt the State
> Govt demanding that the tunnel be totally dismantled and a new one
> built.
>
Now I wonder why some one would be stupid enough to write that? The mind
boggles.
A tunnel is not like a bridge where it can be knocked down and taken
away. It is a permanent hole in the rock, with concrete lining inside
it. Unless of course, you know a different engineering method. I'm sure
the world would like to know.
Of course it could be like a team of gardeners moving a hole put in the
wrong place and shifting it by passing the soil across to the next one
in line.
;-)
Kevin Martin
Matthew Geier
> Wonder what the tunnel wilkl be used for in 2109? Growing mushrooms?
>
>
The airport line tunnels also only have a 100 year design life as well.
Considering that a large portion of our existing railway is exceeding or
nearing that figure already, it seems a bit short sighted to design major
new sections for such a short life span.
Although I expect it's more contractual - you couldn't get away with an
open ended specification that said the civil works should last 'forever'.
David Bennetts
"Matthew Geier" <mat...@no.sleeper.no.apana.no.org.no.au> wrote in message
news:49c2a561$0$19326$afc3...@news.optusnet.com.au...
Wonder what the design life for the Menangle Bridge was? Sometimes it can
be expanded - in that case many years ago intermediate piers were built
which meant the bridge could withstand much heavier loads than those
originally anticipated.
There are Roman Bridges 2000 years old carrying heavy modern traffic without
modification.- would the Romans have anticipated mechanised heavy trucks?
In contrast didn't the standard gauge bridges on the Victorian line
Albury/Melbourne only have a design life of 30 years?
Regards
David Bennetts
Rod Gayford
requirement, as one person observed, as contracts of an open ended nature
are never written. Stop being sucked in by a press that is just hoping on
the anti-Rees band wagon (do you really think Fatty O,Barrell is going to be
any better. Just remember how Greiner decimated the railways) and whose
audiance is a basically an ignorant public mainly pre-occupied with crap
like "Dancing With The Stars" and would not have a sufficient attention span
to digest anything more complex than the cricket results.
Cheers
Rod Gayford
"David Bennetts" <davibenn...@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:49c2ad82$0$5601$5a62...@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
Paul Blair
Paul
<snip>
Bill Bolton
> Stop being sucked in by a press that is just hoping on
> the anti-Rees band wagon
Its not the press that is doing the sucking, its the Rees Government
black hole!
Bill Bolton
Sydney, Australia
DW downunder
Shore/Northern Districts boundary, hasn't there?
Now, can anyone remember - was completing and opening the Eastern Suburbs
line anything like this?
Regards
DW from WA
"Chris D" <chris...@norealaddress.com.au> wrote in message
news:49c174b3$0$3253$afc3...@news.optusnet.com.au...