At the breakthrough ceremony NSW Premier Mike Baird said “Today everyone can be proud at what’s been achieved, with this long-promised critical public transport project taking shape before our eyes.
“The rail line will transform the lives of people in Sydney’s northwest, enabling commuters to catch a train every four minutes in the peak.”
According to Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance tunnelling work was completed approximately two months ahead of schedule with 2.7 million tonnes of Sydney sandstone and shale excavated to complete the job.
The four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) involved in the project created Australia’s longest railway tunnels – twin 15 km tunnels from Bella Vista to Epping. The completion of these tunnels has added an extra 30 km to Sydney’s rail network.
The project is significant not only for its contribution to the local economy – over 4,600 people worked on the tunnelling contract alone – it was also the first time four TBMs were used simultaneously on any infrastructure project in Australia.
For further information visit the Sydney Northwest Metro project website.