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Sydney Metro West  project hits next stage 

The first two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) Daphne and Beatrice started carving out a section of the 24km Sydney Metro West line on 1 June.

The next stage of the city-shaping Sydney Metro project is underway with TBM Daphne already 150m into its 11km journey from The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park. TBM Beatrice is also 45m into its journey on the parallel tunnel.

By connecting Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, Sydney Metro West aims to double the rail capacity between Sydney’s two biggest CBDs once passenger services commence in 2030, to support a growing city and deliver world-class metro services to more communities.

Construction started on Sydney Metro West in 2020. The 24-kilometre metro line has stations confirmed at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays, Pyrmont and Hunter Street in the Sydney CBD.

According to the Sydney Metro team, naming TBM after women is a tradition in the trenchless industry.

“As is tunnelling tradition across the world, the Sydney Metro West TBMs are named after women to bring luck to the workers who look to Saint Barbara for protection,” shared the team.

TBM Daphne has been named in honour of pioneer for Paralympic sport Daphne Hilton, while TBM Beatrice’s namesake is iconic local newspaper seller Beatrice Bush.

Along with TBM excavation, construction of the tunnels includes activities like the construction of cross passages and crossover caverns.

Construction of the twin metro tunnels from The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park is part of the Central Tunnelling Package awarded in July 2021 to the Acciona Ferrovial joint venture.

 

For more information about Sydney Metro West, visit West project overview.

 

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