Australia’s biggest public transport project has achieved another significant milestone with the tunnel breakthrough of the mega tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Eileen at the Airport Terminal metro station site, which will be part of the Western Sydney Airport (WSA) line.
Prior to Eileen’s breakthrough, it took around five months to remove about 293,000 tonnes of rock, approximately 48 Olympic swimming pools worth, in order to construct the 25-meter-deep Airport Terminal Station box in preparation for the TBM’s arrival.
Sydney Metro currently has three mega projects under construction, contributing to the expansion and enhancement of the metro system:
- City & Southwest: This project aims to extend the metro line to Sydney’s city centre and southwestern areas, further improving connectivity and accessibility.
- West: The West project is set to provide an essential metro line extension to the western parts of the city, offering enhanced transport options to these regions.
- Western Sydney Airport: In line with the development of the new Western Sydney International Airport, this metro project will facilitate efficient transportation for travellers to and from the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton).
Excavation Timelines for Western Sydney Airport Project
Eileen has been working tirelessly since April 2023, excavating approximately 112,000 tonnes of rock, equivalent to about 18 Olympic swimming pools.
The 1,066-tonne TBM has been tunnelling at an average speed of 120 meters per week, completing 1.26 kilometres of fully lined tunnel on its 5.5-kilometre journey towards the Aerotropolis.
With this achievement, the TBM will pass through the station box before resuming its journey to the tunnel under the future Western Sydney International Airport. It is expected to reach the Aerotropolis metro station site in 2024.
More about Western Sydney Airport Project
The Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport project is a major infrastructure initiative that will serve as the primary transport backbone for Greater Western Sydney.
This new metro rail system will be crucial in connecting communities and travellers to the Western Sydney International Airport (also known as Nancy-Bird Walton Airport) and the rapidly growing region.
The project comprises a 23-kilometre railway network that stretches from St Marys to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, as detailed in the picture below. It is expected to bring significant economic benefits to western Sydney, generating over 14,000 jobs during the construction phase, which will contribute to the economies of both New South Wales (NSW) and the nation as a whole.
One of the key objectives of the new metro rail is to link residential areas to major employment centres, particularly the Aerotropolis, which is a hub of economic activity. It will provide an efficient and seamless transportation option for travellers to and from the new airport, integrating with Sydney’s existing public transport system to enhance connectivity throughout the city.
The project has been divided into several major contracts, all of which have been awarded by the Australian and NSW Governments and include:
- The tunnelling contract was awarded to CPB Contractors and Ghella Joint Venture in December 2021, involving the construction of twin metro rail tunnels.
- In March 2022, CPB Contractors and United Infrastructure Joint Venture were awarded the contract for approximately 10.6 kilometres of elevated viaduct, earthworks for track formation, and other associated works, including rail bridges over the new M12 motorway and within the airport.
- The largest Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract in New South Wales was awarded to Parklife Metro JV in December 2022. This consortium will build six new stations between St Marys and the Aerotropolis, provide 12 new metro trains and core rail systems, and establish a stabling and maintenance facility at Orchard Hills. Parklife Metro JV will also operate and maintain the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line for 15 years once it becomes operational.
The Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport project is a significant and transformative undertaking that will enhance transportation, accessibility, and economic growth in Greater Western Sydney.
