Final tunnelling works contract for Sydney Metro West has been awarded

The contract to deliver the final tunnelling package for the Sydney Metro West development in New South Wales has been awarded, marking another major milestone on this massive transport infrastructure project. 

The $1.63 billion Eastern Tunnelling contract has been awarded to the John Holland Pty Ltd, CPB Contractors Pty Ltd and Chella Pty Ltd joint venture (JCG JV). 

“We’re getting on with the job of delivering Australia’s biggest public transport project. 

“2023 is gearing up to be the year of tunnelling for Sydney Metro West with two tunnel boring machines already here, ready to start work early next year, and two more will be on their way soon. 

“This is the final piece in the tunnelling puzzle to build the 24-kilometre metro rail tunnels from Westmead to the Sydney CBD,” Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said. 

The Eastern Tunnelling contract will deliver: 

• 3.5-kilometre tunnels from The Bays to the Sydney CBD 
• A tunnel boring machine (TBM) launch site at The Bays with two TBMs launched towards Hunter Street 
• A turnback cavern to the east of the new Hunter Street Station, allowing trains to turn around before travelling back towards Parramatta 
• Excavation and civil works for two new cavern stations at Pyrmont and Hunter Street in Sydney CBD 
• More than 8,000 segments to line the tunnels 

“We’re incredibly proud to be partnering with Sydney Metro to deliver the final tunnelling package for Sydney Metro West – which will transform public transport connections between the city’s major growth centres,” John Holland CEO Joe Barr said. 

“CPB Contractors has unmatched expertise in delivering major tunnelling projects in Sydney. We’ll be drawing on our experience to deliver this package while maximising training and employment opportunities for local people,” CPB Contractors Managing Director Jason Spears said. 

“We are delighted to be awarded the final stage of Sydney Metro West and look forward to working closely with Sydney Metro. This award is a testament to Ghella’s exceptional work, having recently completed the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project where we built the first rail tunnels beneath Sydney Harbour. We’re thrilled to be back again digging another under-harbour rail crossing,” Ghella’s Australian Managing Director Marco Fontana said. 

Works to prepare for tunnelling on the final section of the metro line will commence in 2023 and be completed in 2025. 

The Eastern Tunnelling package is the third and final major tunnelling package on the Sydney Metro West development. 

Tunnelling works are already underway on the twin tunnels between The Bays and Sydney Olympic Park, which is being carried out by the Acciona Ferrovial Joint Venture as well as between Sydney Olympic Park and Westmead, undertaken by the Gamuda Australia and Laing O’Rourke Consortium. 

The entire Sydney Metro West development is anticipated to create more than 10,000 direct new jobs along with 70,000 indirect jobs. 

Building the tunnels requires a broad range of skills. This includes tunnellers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, concrete workers, truck drivers, labourers and security guards. 

The city-shaping Sydney Metro West project will feature: 

• Faster, more frequent access to major employment and education centres like Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park 
• A new metro station in the heart of the Sydney CBD commercial centre, connecting directly to Sydney’s established and growing employment precincts 
• A new metro station at Westmead – one of Australia’s largest health and education precincts 
• Delivering new rail services for the first time at Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays and Pyrmont 
• A new metro station at Sydney Olympic Park – Sydney’s sporting and entertainment super-precinct 
• A new metro station at Pyrmont – delivering major benefits to the Pyrmont community and supporting plans to transform this harbourside suburb 
• Integrated with the rest of Sydney’s public transport system 
• Fully accessible with lifts and level access between trains and platforms 
• Next generation fully air-conditioned metro trains 
• All Sydney Metro infrastructure like the stations, trains and railway tracks are owned by the NSW Government 
• Sydney Metro uses Opal ticketing and fares are set by the NSW Government 

Construction on Sydney Metro West commenced in 2020, with the line up and running by 2030 – delivering fast and reliable metro services that will take commuters from Parramatta to the Sydney CBD in just around 20 minutes. 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; John Holland; CPB Contractors; Ghella; Sydney Metro (1, 2); Infrastructure Magazine; Roads & Infrastructure Australia