Suffolk County Council’s Post

Outcomes of the Australian Government strategic infrastructure review released today. 🔸 Projects identified as regional priorities retained on the list, including Mandalong Road, Newcastle Inner City Bypass, M1 to Raymond Terrace and the Muswellbrook bypass. 🔸 Sydney-Newcastle first stage fast rail project cut. Hard to believe that improvements to Australia’s busiest regional rail corridor, linking the nation’s largest city with the biggest regional economy, does not hit nationally significant benchmarks. But why would they proceed when the delivery partner, the NSW Government, scrapped it from their budget? Funding is tight. One response is cut backs, another is to invest in productivity-generating infrastructure to grow the capacity of the economy and future budgets. Continued cuts to Hunter infrastructure does not communicate governments understand the capacity of the Hunter in driving productivity, industrial and energy transformation or are focused on supporting coal regions through change. We hope to see a better vision and plan for the Hunter in the 2024 budgets. https://lnkd.in/gy8nhW72

The A,B,C of Gati Shakti: Making sense of a criss-cross of projects Here's how it works. Rather than separate plans, Gati Shakti encourages a unified approach, with various government ministries and departments engaging in synergetic infrastructure development.

Also posted at TunnelContact.com's 'Tunnel Building News' group: 'This is how Norway plans to save billions in construction costs of 233 km long tunnels and in renovation of existing ones' #TunnelingNOW #Tunneling #tunnels

Second National Infrastructure Assessment – Setting out program for the coming 30 years NIC - An executive agency responsible for providing impartial expert advice on major long term infrastructure challenges, planning, strategy and assessments to the UK Government. The National Infrastructure Systems Model (NISMOD) process / tool is instrumental in such assessments. NIC was established in 2015 and in July 2018 NIC has published believably the world’s most comprehensive National Infrastructure Assessment. Climate change mitigation, improvement of quality of life, access to infra services, resilience and sustainability needs to be incorporated into current project designs from the beginning. Additionally - Decarbonization in Industry, heating, transport, electricity would help attain the salient net zero target by 2050 in the UK. Effective Private and Public Investments in Infrastructure is a must. Other recommendations for general reading ......

Starting to get strong vibes of a return to the Bob Carr 'Sydney is full' effect that saw infrastructure investment drop for years which prompted the NSW catchup and all the issues this created, under review today. The much-mentioned 10-year $120 billion Federal Infrastructure Investment Program is rolling. That is, new projects come online each budget as projects are completed and future years' funding becomes available; it's not a fixed portfolio for the next decade. Here's hoping we've learned the lessons of the past. I know I repeat myself, but the Hunter is a $65 billion economy in transition. It feels like the scale of task, problem and opportunity (cost) are not understood as decisions are made with short term horizons vs aligned to a long-term strategy. NSW and national objectives depend on investment in the Hunter. And we are ready.

Following on from confirmation that the government is scrapping the northern section of HS2, Emma Antrobus AMICE, director at the Institution of Civil Engineers North West shares her thoughts:       “Today’s announcement, to axe the northern leg of HS2, underlines a lack of ability to grapple with and deliver major transformational infrastructure projects. “What has been put forward in its place, badged as the Network North, needs to be evaluated to understand what the true benefits will be together with the timescales for delivery. “The ICE has been calling for a national transport strategy for England, backed by a clear investment plan, to ensure that the whole of the country gets the transport infrastructure it needs now - and in future. “Without a clear plan, we are stuck with a piecemeal approach ignoring the bigger picture, and never realising the full societal and economic benefits that transformational infrastructure projects can deliver. “We need to regroup around a systems thinking approach and look to our experts including the National Infrastructure Commission to guide planning and investment.” #Infrastructure #HS2 #CivilEngineering

Tunnels are critical for a range of infrastructure projects such as highways, water treatment, power generation and transit. Learn more on the 7 major tunnel projects in the works across Canada. #tunnel #tunnels #infrastructure #construction #canada #projects

The Eurotunnel project, linking France and England, encountered numerous formidable hurdles during its construction: Some Facts: - Tunnel Length. 50.5km (31.4mi) The proportion of tunnel beneath sea.. 37.9km (23.5mi) Average depth. 50m Lowest point. 75m deep The structure consists of two railway tunnels and a service tunnel. Diameter of the rail tunnels. 7.6m Diameter of the central tunnel... 4.8m (used for ventilation and maintenance} Cost of the tunnel.. approximately $13 billion The completed project was opened by Queen Elizabeth II and French President Francois Mitterrand on May 6, 1994. Geological and Geotechnical Complexities: Delving through diverse rock formations like chalk, limestone, and marl, the project faced the challenge of adapting tunneling techniques to varying ground conditions. Specialized equipment was devised to excavate through these distinct rock types. Underwater Construction: Building beneath the English Channel demanded innovative tunneling methods and the use of tunnel-boring machines. Negotiating fluctuating depths and seabed conditions, engineers grappled with ensuring the stability and watertightness of the tunnel. Prioritizing Safety: Given the inherent risks of tunneling beneath the sea, ensuring the safety of workers was paramount. Rigorous safety protocols and advanced fire protection measures were enacted to safeguard against potential hazards. Technical Integration: Harmonizing the efforts of diverse engineering teams from different nations presented a formidable task. Close coordination was vital to ensuring seamless integration and compatibility between the British and French sections of the tunnel. Navigating Financial and Political Obstacles: Securing funding for the colossal undertaking proved to be a daunting challenge, as did navigating the political and administrative complexities inherent in cross-border infrastructure projects. Negotiating agreements between the UK and France required meticulous planning and diplomacy. Addressing Environmental Concerns: The project raised valid environmental apprehensions, particularly regarding its potential impact on marine ecosystems. Extensive environmental assessments were conducted, and mitigation strategies were implemented to minimize adverse effects. Time and Budget Overruns: Like many large-scale infrastructure endeavors, the Eurotunnel faced delays and cost overruns. Unforeseen geological conditions and the sheer complexity of the project contributed to these challenges. Despite these formidable obstacles, the Eurotunnel stands as a testament to human ingenuity and serves as a blueprint for future ambitious tunneling ventures worldwide. #tunneling #Constrution #ITA