Ausgrid crews plan to carry out two horizontal directional drills (HDD) below the river bed between Earlwood and Marrickville as part of the $A14 million project.
The crossing will carry six 132,000 volt cables to connect a major electricity supply point in Sydney’s inner west to Ausgrid substations in Canterbury, Marrickville, Rockdale and Kogarah via a 22 km cable route.
Specialist crews have already completed a number of microtunnels and HDDs at locations such as Muddy Creek in Rockdale, Hattersley Street in Banksia, and Meeks Road in Marrickville.
Microtunnelling and HDD were chosen to cross creeks, rivers and rail lines in order to reduce the impact on the surrounding environment and community.
Ausgrid General Manager Transmission Trevor Armstrong said the project was one of the largest replacement projects for the state.
“The existing cables connecting these substations were installed about 40 years ago,” Mr Armstrong said. “This equipment has performed well over the years but needs to be replaced to help maintain a reliable supply of electricity to homes and businesses in the area.”
The project will help power more than 50,000 homes and businesses in Sydney’s south and inner west.