Site visit: Western Harbour Tunnel precast tour
December 4 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm AEDT
Overview
This ATS technical tour offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the Western Harbour Tunnel segment yard. Attendees will gain insights into precast segment design, production logistics, and site operations. The visit includes a short technical presentation, a guided site tour, and networking opportunities. Ideal for engineers, designers, and tunnelling professionals seeking practical knowledge and industry connection.
The Western Harbour Tunnel is a major infrastructure project aimed at reducing traffic congestion on key Sydney routes, including the Anzac Bridge, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel. It features 6.5 kilometres of dual three-lane tunnels extending from the Warringah Freeway in Cammeray to the WestConnex interchange at Rozelle. Stage 2 includes the construction of approximately 4.5 kilometres of tunnel from Birchgrove under Sydney Harbour to North Sydney.
Parking available: Numbers are limited. Please only register for the event if you plan on attending, no-shows will take the opportunity away from others
Learning outcomes
In this presentation, you will:
- know engineers who are familiar with the basics of tunnelling or precast concrete segments, and the role they play in tunnel construction
- want to see in real life how segment design principles are applied, understand the logistics of large-scale precast production, and learn how design integrates with site operations
- gain practical insights into TBM segment design, observe real-world yard operations and quality control processes, and connect these technical aspects with project delivery and industry best practice.
Program
In-person:
- 2.00 pm AEDT: Arrival
- 2.10 pm AEDT: Presentation on TBM Segment Design
- 2.30 pm AEDT: Presentation on the facility
- 2.50pm AEDT: Facility tour
- 4.00pm AEDT: Leave site
About the speakers
David Oliveira
Technical Director (Tunnels), Aurecon
Dr David is a Chartered Professional with 27 years of experience in civil engineering. He is a Technical Director (Tunnels) with Aurecon, Vice-Chair of Working Group 12 – Sprayed Concrete of the International Tunnelling Association, and an invited member of the Canadian Standards Association committee writing the world’s first Tunnel Standard (not a guide). His most recent project experience includes the Westconnex M8, Westconnex M4-M8, Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power (UK), Sydney Metro West-Central Tunnelling Package, Western Harbour Tunnel Package 2, and Borumba Pumped Hydro.
Shu Fan Chau
Deputy Technical Director, AECOM Canada
Shu Fan is a tunnel engineer with experience in tunnelling of all kinds, with a specialty in large Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) tunnels. In addition to TBM tunnelling, Shu Fan’s wide-ranging tunnel expertise includes drill and blast tunnelling, immersed tube tunnelling, cut-and-cover tunnels, deep excavation, underground structures, site formation and slope works.
Shu Fan’s expertise in TBM tunnel design was recognised when he was engaged as a tunnel lining design lead for the West Gate Tunnel in Melbourne. Shu Fan completed the preliminary tunnel design and then the detailed design for this TBM project, considering the difficulties posed by the wide variation in ground conditions, the high-water pressure, and many required tunnel openings.
His breadth of experience, too, is both local and international. Shu Fan has been involved and played a significant role in geotechnical and tunnel design and construction in some of largest TBM tunnel projects in the world, including the Tuen Mun – Chap Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) subsea tunnels in Hong Kong, the Waterview Connection tunnels in New Zealand, the West Gate Tunnel project in Melbourne, Australia, and Western Harbour Tunnel in Sydney, Australia.
PPE required
- steel cap boots
- hard hat
- high-visibility vest
Otherwise, please contract Thomas.Roper@acciona.com and some can be provided, limited numbers.