00:00The first sinkhole was bad enough news. The second, a sign of a much deeper problem.
00:08But back in March, transport officials were still optimistic.
00:11They're not expecting any delay to the project because of this.
00:14Seven months later though, completion of the M6 Stage 1 is still a long way off.
00:20Some advice from the contractor is definitely more than 24 months.
00:24Whether it's up to three years or longer, we're still working through that.
00:29The M6 Stage 1 will connect the M8 at Arncliffe to President Avenue in Coggera via four kilometre twin tunnels.
00:36The government says 90% of the tunnelling will be completed on time, but this 244 metre stretch is causing major headaches.
00:44We need engineering changes to ensure that it's safe and workable. I can't give you a date right now.
00:50Gas, water and high voltage power lines may need to be moved and they'll need to inject grout into the ground to stabilise it.
00:58The prior use of this area, it was used as landfill, so it's not solid.
01:06The government says taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for the undetermined cost blowout.
01:11It's negotiating with the contractor and insurers.
01:14The long-term plan is to extend the M6 south from here at Coggera all the way to the Princes Highway at Loftus,
01:21cutting out dozens of traffic lights on the way to Wollongong and the south coast.
01:25Land has been set aside, but the extension hasn't been funded yet and the government appears to have little enthusiasm,
01:31especially in light of this latest snag.
01:34We haven't made any announcements about further work on the M6.
01:39The government's key priority here is finishing what we've been left with here.
01:44Tunnelling through the soft ground won't resume until next year.
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