Western Harbour Tunnel progresses as boring machine nears halfway 

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3 November 2026

Excavation work on the Western Harbour Tunnel project has reached key milestones, with the first of two tunnel boring machines approaching the halfway point on its under Harbour route from Birchgrove to Waverton.

Simultaneously, underground excavation work beneath Waverton has concluded with the completion of two large reception chambers. 50 metres below the harbour surface, these purpose-built chambers will serve as the final destination for both tunnel boring machines.

Constructed using specialised roadheader machines, the chambers measure up to 23 metres high, 35 metres wide, and 34 metres long. The spaces were engineered to facilitate the dismantling of the tunnel boring machines  which are the largest used in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Once finished, the new harbour crossing will connect with an already excavated 2.8-kilometre tunnel segment between Waverton and Cammeray, providing direct integration into WestConnex via the Rozelle Interchange.

The milestone in construction allows the project to stay on par for its scheduled opening to traffic in 2028.