Tracks on the 24-kilometre Sydney Metro West line between Westmead and Hunter Street will soon begin to be laid at Sydney Olympic Park, marking a huge milestone in the project that is going to transform the way people move between the city and Parramatta.
5,316 tonnes of rail will progressively be lowered 27 metres down into the future Sydney Olympic Park Metro station box, with the project moving into the fit-out stage after tunnelling was completed earlier this year.
A precision lifting process is required to manoeuvre the 4,376 individual pieces of steel, each 20 metres in length, from the surface to the floor of the station box.
From there 20 skilled workers will spend the next three months welding the rail together which will progressively be moved into the tunnels using a specialised road-rail vehicle excavator. Work on the structural track base slab will commence after this and be followed by the electrical and mechanical fit-out by the end of the year.
Across the entire project, 60 kilometres of track will be installed within the twin tunnels and the Clyde Stabling and Maintenance Facility featuring four crossovers, one junction, and one turnback that will support the seamless operation of Sydney Metro West.
Due for completion in 2032 Sydney Metro West will double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD and reduce travel times down to:
- Westmead to Hunter Street: 22 minutes.
- Sydney Olympic Park to Hunter Street: 15 minutes
- Westmead to Sydney Olympic Park: 7 minutes
- The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park: 11 minutes
The rail system is being delivered by John Holland, enabling the safe, fast and efficient operation of Sydney Metro West. This includes the complete fit-out of tunnels, track, cross passages, station caverns and key operational facilities across the entire two track 24-kilometre project.
Sydney Metro West will be complemented by the delivery of tens of thousands of well-located homes, forming the backbone of some of the state’s most significant rezonings including Bays West (8,500 homes), Pyrmont (7,300 homes around Wentworth Park), Sydney Olympic Park (15,000 homes), Burwood North (18,000 homes) and North Strathfield (18,000 homes – Homebush Transport Oriented Development Accelerated Precinct).
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“When Sydney Metro West is up and running it will transform the way people move between Parramatta and the city.
“This line will open connections between parts of the city like never before, creating new destinations across the city and revitalising suburbs which have been difficult to navigate with public transport.
“Along with the huge transport boost, the rezonings around the Metro West stations including The Bays, Sydney Olympic Park and Burwood North will deliver tens of thousands of new homes within walking distance of this reliable, fast and easy to use public transport.”
Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:
“Fast, affordable public transport is part of our plan to deliver long-term cost of living relief, which is exactly what Metro West will deliver.
“For too long Western Sydney communities took on the lion’s share of housing development without the much-needed local infrastructure to accompany it.
“Metro West will bring transport, jobs, and services closer to where people live, whilst reducing congestion on our roads for Western Sydney residents and businesses who need to drive.”
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“Metro West will transform life in Sydney, providing rapid east-west transport that will drive jobs, homes and vibrancy.
“Most of this work happens underground so it’s not always front of mind for everyone, but there is an incredible amount of city shaping infrastructure being built in these tunnels.
“The arrival of the first rail is a major step forward for Sydney Metro West which we’re delivering alongside Western Sydney Airport Metro and Southwest Metro.”
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:
“Laying the tracks for Metro West is a significant milestone bringing Western Sydney closer to having this important transport link.
“This critical infrastructure will give Parramatta and the surrounding suburbs well-deserved access to jobs and opportunity.
“The work may be underground, but the city above has a bright, better-connected future.”