The final stage of a long-awaited North-South Corridor has reached a major milestone, with a preferred alliance partner being selected for the project.
“The project will be completed by its deadline”, the Prime Minister said in a statement on Sunday, “but it’s likely South Australians will be able to enjoy the full benefits of the River Torrens to Darlington Project (T2D Project) even sooner than expected” he added, – with three Tunnel Boring Machines to be operating at the same time, instead of the expected two.
Once finished, the T2D project will allow motorists to avoid 21 existing sets of traffic lights between the River Torrens and Darlington and will complete the non-stop 78-kilometre North-South Corridor between Gawler and Old Noarlunga.
Following a significant procurement process that commenced in January 2023, the consortium, comprising John Holland, Bouygues Construction, Arcadis Australia, Jacobs and Ventia, has been selected as the preferred alliance partner.
The successful consortium has confirmed it can deliver the T2D Project on budget, delivering significant travel, economic and community benefits for South Australians.
The consortium’s tender detailed a plan to procure three Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), instead of the two previously anticipated – which will mean both north and south tunnels can be constructed concurrently.
The three TBMs that will be used to excavate the T2D tunnels will be purpose-built for the local conditions they will encounter on this project.
The Prime Minister said the additional TBM gives the government a reasonable expectation that the project can not only be completed by the stated 2031 deadline – but even earlier.
The Torrens to Darlington project will support approximately 5,500 jobs per year during main construction, with 90 per cent of labour hours to be undertaken by South Australians.
It is also expected to deliver unprecedented opportunities for South Australian businesses, with more than 300 local businesses already registering their interest in being involved as a sub-contractor on the T2D project through the Industry Capability Network.
The consortium has committed to a minimum of 6 per cent Indigenous employment on the project, as well as more than 600 jobs for apprentices and trainees, and opportunities for more than 220 long-term unemployed people.
Main construction works are proposed to start in 2025, with tunnel boring machine works for the southern tunnels planned to begin in the second half of 2026.
