Following her breakthrough into the dive structure, she received a very important visitor – her namesake, seven-year-old Grace. Prior to the start of tunnelling we ran a competition among primary school students to name the two TBMs for the project. Grace was nominated by her classmates while she was undergoing treatment for leukaemia. They said she was the toughest person they knew, exactly what the TBM needed to be able to bore through the earth.
Taking the opportunity to wave goodbye to 'her' TBM, Grace and her parents were joined by Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.
In the meantime TBM Sandy is closing in on the finish line in Bayswater, where she is expected to resurface in May.
TBM removal underway at Bayswater
Activity at the Bayswater site is largely focussed around the removal of TBM Grace. The TBM's cutterhead – the wheel located at the very front of the machine housing teeth, rippers and cutter discs – has already been disconnected and craned out of the dive structure.
At ground level, early works have commenced on sections of the principal shared path (PSP). This includes earthmoving and installation of services such as lighting. First asphalt is planned to be laid in April.
The section of the PSP located within the construction boundary will remain closed until the project is completed, with the current diversion along Whatley Crescent staying active. While work and heavy vehicle movement is still ongoing, this is the safest option for cyclists and pedestrians.
Tunnelling support at Redcliffe Station
With tunnelling support for TBM Sandy ongoing at Redcliffe Station, workspace is limited within the station box. Once tunnelling is completed in May, the area can be cleared and installation of the platform will commence.
Recently more than 80 cubic metres of concrete were used to close up the 380 square metre opening in the station’s eastern ground slab. Down the track this area will be part of the station’s forecourt.
Construction will begin this month on the roundabout for the Second Street and Boulder Avenue intersection. There will be some traffic management in place and we ask all motorists to take care while travelling in the area. Every effort will be made to minimise the impact on road users.
Airport Central Station taking shape
Airport Central Station is now 70 per cent complete, with the first three modules of the roof structure in place.
Once the 137-tonne steel structure is complete, specially designed sheeting, which will reduce glare for pilots flying in and out of Perth Airport, will be installed.
At Skybridge level, the steel frame for the link between the station entry and the 280m-long elevated walkway has been constructed. Travellators and information screens within the Skybridge have been installed.
Fit-out has commenced for the back-of-house rooms located on the mezzanine and concourse levels, and concrete pours to finalise the remaining sections of the station platform are ongoing.
View an animation of the future Airport Central Station here.
Forrestfield Station roof sheeting nearing completion
Roof sheeting continues to be installed on the Forrestfield Station building, with more than 50 per cent now completed. Preparation works are also underway for the roof skylights, which are strategically placed to assist passengers to navigate the station.
Inside the building some additional painting is underway, along with installation of air conditioning units.
Following the erection of the final station retaining wall panels, backfilling has commenced to raise the ground level. On the other side of the wall, within the dive structure, pipes no longer required to service TBM Grace are being removed.
The portal and stowage buildings located at either ends of the site are still undergoing internal and external services fit-out.
Cross passage tally advanced to seven
Fit-out of the Abernethy Road Emergency Egress Shaft (EES) is well underway, with two-hour fire-resistant wall lining currently being installed around the mechanical and electrical services for the lift.
The diaphragm walls of the Wright Crescent EES – the last shaft to be connected to the tunnels – were recently cut with a 1.2m-diametre saw, marking the start of the cross passage construction.
Airport West EES will see tilt-up panels for the ancillary building erected within the next few weeks.
Seven of the 15 cross passages are now completed.