Hunter Valley Operations Access Track Design

Civil design of a 25-kilometre access track for high-voltage infrastructure at Hunter Valley Operations.

The Hunter Valley Operations project involved the detailed design of an approximately 25-kilometre access track servicing high-voltage infrastructure within the HVO coal mine. Connecting to Lemington Road, the proposed track provides access to transmission poles and integrates with planned roadworks and high-voltage infrastructure corridors.

The design was guided by unsealed-road principles and operational requirements for heavy-vehicle access. It incorporated geometric design, cross-drainage and pavement solutions suitable for low traffic volumes over a 20-year design life.

WSce was engaged by Glencore to undertake the detailed civil design and documentation for the new three-metre-wide unsealed access track.

Our scope included road geometry design using 12D and Civil 3D; contour plans, long sections and cross-sections; bulk-earthworks modelling; structural pavement design; culvert crossings and localised stormwater management; turning-head analysis; and tie-ins to existing infrastructure.

WSce also prepared erosion and sediment-control measures in accordance with the NSW Blue Book and delivered documentation at 80% Design Development and Issue for Construction stages. Construction-phase services included site inspections, RFI responses, review of works-as-executed documentation and final certification.