The River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project has achieved a major milestone in its delivery of a non-stop South Road, with the first of three TBMs beginning its journey to Adelaide. The first TBM received the green light to be shipped to South Australia, following successful factory acceptance testing in China(external site).

The TBM’s components, manufactured in Germany and China, have been rigorously tested to ensure all critical functions, including the cutterhead, drive motors, and thrust cylinders meet technical and operational specifications. 

Once in Adelaide, the TBM will be assembled and commissioned at the T2D Project’s Southern Precinct in Clovelly Park(external site). It’s one of two TBMs that will be launched from the Southern Precinct to construct the 4.5km Southern Tunnels, which will run between the open motorway at Darlington to just south of Anzac Highway in Glandore. 

A third TBM will launch from the Central North Precinct at Richmond to construct the twin 2.2km Northern Tunnels, which will run between James Congdon Drive and the existing open motorway south of Grange Road. 

Excavation by the TBMs of the Southern Tunnels is planned to begin in the second half of 2026. 

Click here for tunnelbuilder archive and for further information please visit https://www.t2d.sa.gov.au/  and https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/. 42/25