Construction
The 6.8 kilometre Clem Jones Tunnel (CLEM7) is one of the largest infrastructure projects ever to be undertaken in Queensland.RiverCity Motorway has contracted the design and construction of the tunnel to the Leighton Contractors and Baulderstone Hornibrook Bilfinger Berger Joint Venture (LBB JV).Construction of the $3 billion toll road in commenced in September 2006.
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Tunnelling on the Clem Jones Tunnel (CLEM7) is complete after the second tunnel boring machine broke through at Woolloongabba on 26 May 2009.
The breakthrough represents an important milestone for the CLEM7 with both 4,000-tonne boring machines (named Matilda and Florence) having completed their historic 4.3 kilometre journey from Bowen Hills to Woolloongabba.
The successful completion of tunnelling on the CLEM7 represents one of Brisbane’s greatest ever engineering achievements. To tunnel 4.3 kilometres through hard rock under the CBD and Brisbane River with such precision and speed is a great engineering feat.
Bridge construction and road widening
Above the ground, bridge construction and road widening is well advanced. Work is substantially complete on all of the 18 bridges being constructed, or widened, at either end of the tunnel.
Major road widening work is complete at the northern, eastern and southern entrances to the tunnel. Remaining work includes laying of the final asphalt, line marking and installation of signage. This work will ensure motorists enjoy fast, safe and reliable access as they enter and exit the tunnel.
Fast facts
Tunnel
| Length | 4.8 kilometre twin, 2-lane tunnels |
| Rock to be excavated | 3.5 million tonnes |
| Tunnel lining segments | 38,000 |
| Concrete | 280,000 cubic m |
Tunnel boring machines
| Cost | A$50 million per machine |
| Diameter | 12.4 metres |
| Length | 253m |
| Weight | 4,000 tonne |
| Cutters | 78 tungsten carbide tipped 19 inch disc cutters |
| Manufacturer | Herrenknecht (Germany) |
Bridges
| Total number of bridges | 18 |
| Number of beams | 350 Super T bridge beams |
| Length of beams | 25 kilometres if placed end-to-end |
| Number of decks | 1,100 |
| Biggest beam | 39 metres long and weighs 75 tonne |