Thiess Tunnelling Expertise Wins $140m Ausgrid Contract

Thiess has won a $140million contract with Australia’s largest electricity distributor Ausgrid to deliver vital infrastructure for Sydney’s future electricity requirements.

The 132kV City East Cable Tunnel (CECT) project will draw on Thiess’ vast bank of tunnelling expertise to construct the 3.2 kilometre segmentally lined tunnel under the city. With a diameter of 3.5 metres, the tunnel will connect the existing City North substation in Sussex Street to a new substation in Riley Street, Surry Hills.

Managing Director Bruce Munro welcomed the contract as a further endorsement of Thiess’ extraordinarily diverse portfolio of tunnelling achievements.

“From our pioneering role building the tunnels of the Snowy Mountains Scheme to major road tunnels and service tunnels of many types, Thiess is proud to be working with Ausgrid to deliver this vital electricity infrastructure,” Mr Munro said.

The awarding of the CECT contract follows Thiess’ highly successful completion last year of Ausgrid’s City West Cable Tunnel (CWCT).

Thiess’ General Manager Tunnelling, Glen Ashton said the CWCT project had exceeded the client’s expectations in many areas including safety.

“We had no lost time injuries during more than 820 working days and we look forward to delivering the same performance for Ausgrid on the new project,” Mr Ashton said.

“Open dialogue with our clients is central to the way we do business and this has been the backbone of our very productive relationship with Ausgrid.”

The CECT project also includes the construction of two concrete lined connectors, an extension to the City South Cable Tunnel and installation and commissioning of all tunnel mechanical and electrical services. The project is scheduled for completion in 2015.