Sydney to Canberra Very High Speed Train

Southern East Coast Australia 

Since 1984 Maunsell has been involved in the inception of a high-speed rail network between east coast cities. This has now culminated in the role as principal design consultant to Speedrail for the Sydney to Canberra VHST project. Speedrail are the preferred proponent to Build Own Operate and Transfer a high-speed train service between Sydney and Canberra, based upon French TGV technology.

 

Maunsell was responsible for the definition of the 'proving up' alignment and associated infrastructure design for the 220 km long high speed section and the infrastructure upgrading requirements for the 60 km long Sydney entry section between Macarthur and the Central Terminal.

 

The assessment of alignment options focussed on the

minimisation of:

·         the impact of soft ground and mining subsidence

·         earthworks

·         bridge and tunnel lengths

·         the impact on remnant vegetation, threatened habitat and species

·         noise impacts

·         landtake

·         erosion and sedimentation

 

The commission included the preparation of preliminary designs for trackwork, earthworks, underpass and overpass bridge structures and associated civil works. Both the alignment and infrastructure has been designed in accordance with SNCF standards for operating speeds of 320 kph.

 

In the lead up to the November 1999 "proving up" submission to Government, Maunsell also responded to queries from Government Agencies in respect to environmental impacts and infrastructure interface concerns.