UK-based firm Laing O’Rourke has received a A$955m ($745.2m) contract to renew Sydney’s Central Station in Australia, and build a new metro network and platforms at Central Walk.
The new structures are set to allow easy passage between light rail, suburban and inter-city trains, the new metro and buses in Sydney.
For the project, Laing will partner with architecture firm Woods Bagot, its partner John McAslan + Partners, and design firms GHD and Aurecon.
Laing O’Rourke managing director Cathal O’Rourke said: “We have a strong track record in complex transport precincts around the world – and with this experience we have assembled a team who will deliver a world-class result for the NSW Government, the people of Sydney and the businesses and customers who rely on Central every day.”
The contract covers construction of new Sydney Metro platforms about 27m below the current platform level, a 19m-wide tunnel named Central Walk to connect Chalmers Street to new platforms under Central Station and a new metro station.
In addition, the Central Station and the Northern Concourse will be upgraded. This upgrade and building of Central Walk are scheduled to be completed by 2022.
More than 250,000 people pass through the Central Station every day and the number is expected to grow to 450,000 in the next two decades.
By 2024, the construction of 30km of tracks and outfitting of stations for the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project is expected to be concluded.
According to New South Wales (NSW) Transport Minister Andrew Constance, the Sydney Metro currently supports more than 17,000 employees.
