Authors
Megan D. Read, Nathaniel S. Effron
Sponsor
AECOM
Advisors
Holly K. Ault, Stanley M. Selkow
Term
January – March 2012
Abstract
Tunnels vary greatly in design, excavation, and completion resulting in a wide array of prices. Tunnel delivery is thought to be more expensive in Australia and New Zealand than the rest of the world. Our goal was to identify key cost drivers, compare international tunnelling costs and gauge ANZ’s position for each driver. We compiled findings from data analysis, interviews, surveys, and case studies to accomplish this goal. We found that tunnelling in ANZ is not statistically more expensive than in other nations, but that average tunnelling costs are greater. We provided recommendations for cost reduction in ANZ through investigation of several key cost drivers: geotechnical awareness, labour costs, standardisation, market structure, project delivery, and client knowledge.
Final Report