The final tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have arrived on site for Sydney Metro West, which is gearing up to build Sydney’s second under-harbour railway crossing.
The two TBMs will carve out the 2.3km twin tunnels from The Bays to Hunter Street as part of the Sydney Metro West – Eastern Tunnelling Package.
These are the last of six TBMs being used for tunnelling on the 24km Sydney Metro West line.
Each TBM arrive in 32 pieces by ship at White Bay port in March 2024 and are currently inside the station box at The Bays being assembled for their launch later this year.
The TBMs are mixed shield, which are specifically designed to excavate through sandstone and under the harbour.
This will be the second under harbour crossing undertaken by Sydney Metro using this technology, following the successful crossing between Blues Point and Barangaroo as part of the City & Southwest project.
Once launched, the TBMs will tunnel at an average rate of 90m per week and will arrive at the Hunter Street Station site in mid-2025.
Sydney Metro West is expected to complete by 2032.
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