Cabling the CLEM7 Tunnel

The 6.8km Clem7 Tunnel is one of the largest infrastructure projects ever to be undertaken in Qld. It boasts more than 250 cameras, optical fibre equal to 23 times the length of the tunnel and a state-of-the-art copper and fibre cabling system, designed to isolate potential problems. Thereby enabling continuity of traffic communication via signals, speed signs, warnings and other messaging without interruption.

Promoted as one of Australia’s safest tunnels, the 6.8 kilometre Clem Jones Tunnel’s (CLEM7) range of safety features and systems in the tunnel was designed to provide the safest driving environment possible. Due to the large scale of the project, CLEM7 required an excessive amount of quality communications and control cabling for the communications and traffic management infrastructure.

Taking control

The individually controlled electronic signage, cameras, traffic signals and messaging are operated by up to 40 technicians from the intelligence heart of this major infrastructure facility – the Tollway Control Centre. Located at the northern end of the tunnel, the interior is like something you would see in a futuristic sci‑fi movie, with hundreds of visual aids and computer controls.

The people who made it happen

Sophisticated high bandwidth communications cables were needed to transmit and receive signals from the Tollway Control Centre and the tunnel. The CLEM7 mechanical and electrical subcontractor, UGL Infrastructure, recruited communications infrastructure and cabling specialist company, Madison Express (Madison Technologies) to supply all the required copper and optic fibre cables.

A state-of-the-art cabling system was designed. This design enables continuity of communications traffic for signalling, speed signs, warnings and other forms of electronic messaging without interruption. Equal to 23 times the length of the tunnel, the optical fibre cable installed in CLEM7 was the product of a lengthy cabling infrastructure design process. Madison Express also supplied all the required connectivity and jointing products, along with specialised tooling to provide a total end-to-end solution.

Using new technology

The CLEM7 project created the opportunity to introduce a Swiss made product to Australia. The R&M security level 2 socket ensures that cables cannot be switched over. This consequently prevents whole system crashes.

Benefits

By delivering the state-of-the-art copper and fibre cabling system as well as the associated connectivity, jointing and tooling both on time and under budget, Madison Express was able to contribute to the delivery of the CLEM7 project seven months ahead of schedule and on budget.