Tunnelling Solutions has been awarded the contract for the Estelle Street sewer relocation, a vital enabling works package forming part of the expansive Eastern Freeway Upgrades in Melbourne, Victoria.
This infrastructure project is aimed at enhancing capacity and connectivity across key corridors in Melbourne’s northeast, and is one of the largest such projects underway in the state.
The Estelle Street project falls under the first stage of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades, delivered by the Eastern Freeway – Burke to Tram Alliance.
The alliance comprises Major Roads Projects Victoria with infrastructure and engineering leaders Laing O’Rourke, Symal, Arcadis and WSP.
The package involves a 6.5km stretch of freeway between Burke Road and Tram Road, set to be expanded with six new express lanes for faster smoother trips.
Among its many key components are a major new interchange at Bulleen, improvements to the Doncaster interchange, and the creation of new Eastern Busway lanes connecting with two park and rides at Bulleen and Doncaster.
As part of these broader works, the Estelle Street sewer relocation plays a crucial role in clearing the way for further construction and ensuring essential services continue to operate without interruption.
Tunnelling Solutions’ scope includes the temporary shaft excavation and support construction of a new 980m DN1400 sewer line using its newly acquired micro tunnel boring machine (MTBM) fleet, and live connection tie-ins alongside the construction of new manholes.
Tunnelling Solutions CEO Serhat Baycan said the company’s alignment with the project’s complexity and strategic importance reaffirms its focus on providing technical and tailored solutions for the utilities and water infrastructure projects.
“Tunnelling Solutions is proud to be selected to contribute to this significant piece of infrastructure, which will positively impact Melbourne’s growing population,” he said.
“Our team brings considerable experience in complex tunnelling and trenchless construction, and our investment in new MTBM technology places us in a strong position to deliver this project safely and effectively.”
Founded in 2014, Tunnelling Solutions has built a reputation for delivering challenging subsurface infrastructure in Australia and internationally.
Now a subsidiary of Gamuda Australia Group following its acquisition in 2022, the company is well positioned to take on increasingly complex tunnelling projects.
One recent example is the Glenroy Road level crossing removal project, where the Tunnelling Solutions team successfully delivered a 370m pipe jack using a slurry MTBM under challenging geological conditions.
This project, along with several others, demonstrates the team’s ability to provide innovative, low-impact solutions in urban environments.
With work commencing in May 2025, the Estelle Street sewer relocation is expected to take around 12 months to complete. Once finished, it will not only support the delivery of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades, but also contribute to the broader transformation of Victoria’s transport infrastructure.
The Eastern Freeway Upgrades is one of three interconnected major projects being delivered in Melbourne’s northeast, alongside the North East Link tunnels and the M80 Ring Road completion at Greensborough. Together, these developments are forecast to reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes and remove 15,000 trucks a day from local roads.
Through its involvement in the Estelle Street sewer relocation, Tunnelling Solutions continues to cement its position as a key player in Australia’s infrastructure landscape – combining technical expertise, new technologies, and a proven approach to collaborative delivery.
The company’s in-house team of engineers, consultants, and tunnelling professionals bring decades of experience to each project, delivering reliable outcomes across Australia and abroad.
Structured for both development and delivery, Tunnelling Solutions prides itself on leadership, innovation, and a commitment to quality in every aspect of its work.
Tunnelling Solutions team will be attending this year’s No-Dig Down Under in Melbourne on 17-18 September as an exhibitor to showcase the company’s capabilities first-hand.
For more information, visit tunnellingsolutions.com.au
This article was featured in the June edition of Trenchless Australasia.
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