Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, Station Boxes and Tunnelling (SBT) project is the first in Australia to use a 250-tonne electric crawler crane. Unlike its diesel counterparts, the electric crane eliminates emissions and operates silently, significantly improving the project's environmental footprint.
Based at the Claremont Meadows shaft site, the crane has been used for a variety of heavy lifting tasks, including moving concrete segments and materials down to the tunnels.
Once charged, the electric crane operates for 8–10 hours, potentially reducing carbon emissions by 50,000 kilograms and saving 18,750 litres of diesel fuel annually.
CPB Contractors Tunnel Manager, Conrad McNamara shares that the 250-tonne electric crane is being used as part of a trial.
“We're collecting real-time data with our joint venture partners Ghella and sharing these with the manufacturer…and hopefully, once its trials are complete, we’ll see more of these units,” said Conrad.
“So far, the trial has been great – It's a quiet machine, which is a big win for local residents, and its zero-emission operation aligns with our sustainability commitments,” adds Conrad.
CPB Contractors is delivering the SBT project in a joint venture with Ghella. Works include the design and construction of 9.8 kilometres of twin tunnels and excavations for stations at St Marys, Orchard Hills, Airport Business Park, Airport Terminal and Bradfield, and services facilities at Claremont Meadows and Bringelly.