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Track laying on the next stage of Australia’s biggest public transport project is more than 95 per cent complete in the 15.5 kilometre metro railway twin tunnels.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the incredible progress on the NSW Government’s multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project brings the community one step closer to turn up and go metro services through the city in 2024.
“In two years, Sydney will have 31 metro stations and more than 66 kilometres of new metro rail, revolutionising the way Australia’s biggest city travels.” Mr Perrottet said.
“A team of more than 500 people has worked tirelessly over the past 15 months to plan and lay more than 58 kilometres of Australian rail steel deep under Sydney, including 3.2 kilometres under Sydney Harbour. More than 4,000 tonnes of Australian steel is being used on the project between Chatswood and Sydenham alone.”
“The NSW Government is committed to building critical infrastructure projects like this one that make life better for our communities by making it easier and faster for people to get to where they need to go.”
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said the City and Southwest project is three times longer than the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project, making it a game changing public transport project. Work is underway to complete the track laying, with just over three kilometres of track remaining to be installed through the seven underground stations.
“The railway tunnels are transforming before our eyes and getting ever closer for services starting in 2024. By then, more than 50,000 people will have worked on the project. This is a huge economic boost for our construction sector throughout Sydney,” Mr Elliott said.
“These tracks will help connect the booming North West region of Sydney, deep under Sydney Harbour, through the CBD and out to Bankstown – making Sydney more connected than ever before.”
Interestingly, more than 98,000 tonnes of concrete – enough to fill more than 16 Olympic swimming pools – has been used to embed 45,000 sleepers along the project.
Track construction is expected to be complete later this year, ready for train testing to start in 2023 ahead of passenger services starting in 2024.
The Sydney Metro City & Southwest project is extending the Metro North West Line into the City and beyond to Bankstown. New stations are being delivered at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Barangaroo, Martin Place, Pitt Street and Waterloo, along with new underground platforms at Central Station.
Source: NSW Government Media Release
Image Source: Sydney Metro
