Construction and Hydrogeological Aspects of Melbourne’s City Link Project

Bruce Hutchison

The 15 m wide by 9 m high tunnels of Melbourne’s City Link Project presented a series of geotechnical and hydrogeological problems during design and construction. The 3.6 km and 1.6 km long tunnels were, at times, driven beneath a major confined alluvial aquifer with minimal rock cover. Mr. Hutchison gave an overview of the geology, hydrogeology and construction techniques utilised on the project. Emphasis was given to the use of temporary recharge to control groundwater drawdown beneath settlement sensitive deposits underlying the urban environment.

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