South Australia’s largest infrastructure project reaches critical milestone
South Australia’s largest-ever infrastructure project has reached a major milestone with the naming and blessing of the first of three tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that will support delivery of a non-stop South Road.
The $10.3 billion (AU $15.4 billion) River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project, jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments, will complete the 48.5-mile (78-kilometer) North–South Corridor.
The first TBM, ‘Mary’, has been commissioned and will soon begin excavating a 2.8-mile (4.5-kilometer) tunnel from the Clovelly Park launch site towards Anzac Highway. Two additional TBMs — ‘Catherine’ and ‘Elizabeth’ — are expected to be operational by the end of the year. Together, the three TBMs will operate 24/7, progressing at approximately 26–33 feet (8–10 meters) per day.
Each TBM is named in honor of pioneering South Australian suffragists Mary Lee, Catherine Helen Spence and Elizabeth Webb Nicholls, whose advocacy led South Australia to become the first place in the world to grant women both the right to vote and to stand for election.
More than 2,000 community submissions were received through the naming process, reflecting strong public support for recognizing the legacy of women who shaped the state’s future.
Jacobs President, Global Operations, Patrick Hill said the milestone reflects both technical progress and a deeper connection to community and history.
“The commissioning of ‘Mary’ marks a pivotal moment for this city-shaping project,” Patrick said. “We’re proud to be supporting delivery of infrastructure that improves how people move across South Australia while recognizing the legacy of those who enabled a more inclusive society. It’s a powerful reminder of how engineering and community come together to build a better future.”
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the naming recognizes the significance of the project.
“The naming of the three large-scale TBMs in honor of three trailblazing South Australian suffragists is fitting for this historic undertaking — the first road project in Australia to operate three large-scale TBMs at the same time,” King said. “This demonstrates exactly what can be achieved when the Australian and South Australian governments work in partnership to drive real progress, support thousands of local jobs and boost productivity across southwest Adelaide.”
The tradition of naming TBMs after women dates back centuries and is widely observed across tunneling projects worldwide as a symbol of protection and good fortune.
The T2D Project is South Australia's largest infrastructure project and will create a non-stop South Road between Gawler and Old Noarlunga. Drivers will bypass 21 sets of traffic lights between the River Torrens and Darlington as they travel through two separate tunnels, connected by an open motorway.
Jacobs is proud to be part of the T2D Alliance delivering this once-in-a-generation project on behalf of the South Australian and Australian governments, supporting economic growth, enhancing connectivity and creating a more sustainable and accessible future for South Australia.
