The $1.96 billion tunnel construction for the Sydney Metro West project is on track to commence before the end of this year, with the first two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) currently ordered and under construction.

The Central Tunnelling Package for the project was awarded in July last year to the Acciona Ferrovial Joint Venture, which has contracted Herrenknecht to design, build and deliver the TBMs following a global tender process.

Sydney Metro West will double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD by adding a new 24-kilometre metro line and nine underground stations confirmed at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays, Pyrmont and the Sydney CBD.

This new underground railway will connect Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.

The project is expected to create about 10,000 direct and 70,000 indirect jobs during construction.

Each TBM will tunnel an average of 200 metres per week as they dig the 11 kilometre twin tunnels from The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park. These are the first of six TBMs being used to build the 24 kilometre tunnels from the Sydney CBD to Parramatta.

These TBMs will be specifically built for the conditions they will meet on the project, with design improvements taken on board from the experience of building more than 30 kilometres of tunnels for Sydney Metro Northwest and City & Southwest.

To learn more about the project, click here.