The final tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have arrived on site for the Sydney Metro West – the largest public transport project in the nation’s history – and will be used to deliver the Eastern Tunnelling Package.
Works to be delivered under the package include 3.5 kilometres of metro tunnels between future stations at The Bays and Hunter Street in Sydney’s CBD and the excavation of caverns and shafts at Pyrmont and Hunter Street Stations.
John Holland CPB Contractors Ghella Joint Venture (JCG) was awarded the contract to design and build the tunnels for the Sydney Metro West – Eastern Tunnelling Package in 2022.
The two 1100-tonne TBMs, delivered in 32 sections at Sydney’s White Bay last month, are currently being assembled within the 34-metre-deep station box at The Bays.
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Scheduled for launch later this year, they will complete a 2.3-kilometre journey beneath Sydney Harbour to create twin tunnels, firstly connecting The Bays to the new Pyrmont Station before proceeding under Darling Harbour and reaching their final destination at Hunter Street Station in the heart of the CBD.
Both machines have been purpose-built with mixed shield (slurry) functionality, enabling them to excavate through Sydney’s sandstone and under the harbour. This will be the second under-harbour crossing undertaken by Sydney Metro using this technology, following the successful crossing between Blues Point and Barangaroo.
With an average tunnelling rate of 90 metres per week, the TBMs are projected to arrive at Hunter Street Station by mid-2025.
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