Inland Rail Project

Mark Drechsler

Mark’s presentation will outline the $15B Inland Rail project which is delivering a dedicated rail freight line between Melbourne and Brisbane over the next 10 years. Mark has been involved in the project since 2016 as a Subject Matter Expert Geotechnical and describes some of the challenging geotechnical conditions encountered along the route that traverses extensive black soils, flood plains and basaltic mountainous terrains. Mark co-authored ARTC’s updated Earthworks and Construction specifications to meet those design and construction challenges. Mark also describes an extensive geotechnical investigation program for the section between Toowoomba and Brisbane in Qld, including the geological modelling for a 6km tunnel under the Toowoomba Ranges and its potential impact on tunnelling design.

About the speaker

Mark Drechsler Technical Principal Engineering Geologist, SMEC

Mark leads SMEC’s geotechnical team in Adelaide and has over 40 years’ experience as an engineering geologist involved in investigation, design and construction of mining, civil and transport infrastructure projects throughout Australia. Mark’s specialist areas include geotechnical investigations, earthworks specifications, construction materials, rail and road pavements, quarry development and geopolymer concrete technology.

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