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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Penry Buckley

What caused Sydney’s M4 tunnel closure – and what on earth is shotcrete?

Workers inspect the roof of the WestConnex M4 tunnel in Sydney, Australia
Workers inspect the roof of Sydney’s WestConnex M4 during the tunnel closure. Photograph: NSW Transport Management Centre

Sydney’s M4 tunnel reopened in both directions on Friday morning after overnight emergency repairs.

Bulges in the concrete – or “shotcrete”– lining of the tunnel led to fears of a collapse, forcing the closure of all westbound lanes on Thursday morning and leaving some stranded in the tunnel for up to four hours.

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