The second and final tunnel boring machine (TBM), which was making its way through the western end of the Sydney Metro West project, has broken through, marking the completion of a two-year journey.
The breakthrough took place at the future Westmead Station, which will be linked to Parramatta in a two-minute trip and the Sydney CBD in 22 minutes when Metro West opens in 2032.
The Westmead metro station will also provide better connections to the hospital and health precinct in Sydney’s west which is also serviced by rail, bus and light rail.
TBM Dorothy travelled through close to 800,000 tonnes of earth to complete its journey, having been preceded by TBM Betty, the first TBM which completed its trip two months ago.
At the other end of the line, two machines are cutting their way underneath Darling Harbour to finish at Hunter Street in coming months.
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Six of the nine station boxes for the Sydney Metro West project – The Bays, Five Dock, Burwood North, North Strathfield Sydney Olympic Park and Westmead – have already been excavated and lined.
More than 150,000 concrete segments will be installed on the Metro West line by full completion.
Minister for Transport, John Graham said the project would deliver essential and smoother connections for the community.
“This is a big moment as we see the light at the end of both tunnels on the western end of this massive, city-shaping project,” he said.
“The Westmead hospital and health precinct will become super-connected to the rest of Sydney through turn up and go metro services.”
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