Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government has initiated the tender process to build the new twin metro railway tunnels under Sydney Harbour, and through the CBD for Stage 2 of Sydney Metro.
The first of five tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be in the ground before the end of next year to deliver new twin railway tunnels from Chatswood to Sydenham, in line with the opening of Sydney Metro City & Southwest by 2024.
Go deeper with GlobalData
In January, tunnelling work on Sydney Metro Northwest has been completed, with services scheduled to start in the first half of 2019 with a new metro train every four minutes during peak times.
NSW minister for transport and infrastructure Andrew Constance said: "It’s full steam ahead on Sydney Metro. We’ve now taken the next step and opened expressions of interest for tunnelling, asking industry to partner with us in delivering this city-shaping project."
The Sydney Metro City & Southwest will extend metro rail from Sydney’s North West, beneath Sydney Harbour, through new underground CBD stations, and beyond to Bankstown.
Major procurement for Stage 2 of Sydney Metro is now moving forward with the tunnel and station excavation works and it follows an intense process of engagement and consultation with industry over the past six months.
Constance further noted: "Sydney Metro isn’t just a city-shaping project, this is a fully funded state-building and nation-building infrastructure project being delivered right now.
"As we embark on the formal procurement process for Sydney Metro City & Southwest, this is a further opportunity for industry to work with the government in delivering a truly world-class piece of infrastructure."
According to NSW, the tunnelling contract is expected to be awarded by mid-next year.
Image: An artist impression of the Metro tunnel under Sydney Harbour. Photo: courtesy of NSW government.
