Excavation works for the Pyrmont Metro Station, part of the Sydney Metro West project in Sydney, Australia, have commenced.
Two roadheaders, each weighing 117 tonnes, are currently working at the eastern end of the site, with a third roadheader set to arrive later this month. These machines are driving the tunnelling work that forms an important part of Sydney’s expanding metro network.
The roadheaders have excavated over 90m of what will eventually become the Pyrmont Station cavern. Once completed, the cavern will be 170m long, 24m wide, and 18m high.
The expected completion of this cavern by early 2025 will allow for the arrival of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) Jessie and Ruby. These TBMs will construct the 2.3km tunnels that will link The Bays to Hunter Street in Sydney’s Central Business District.
In total, the roadheaders are expected to remove 151,000 tonnes of material from the site, with 25,000 tonnes already excavated. All clean material from the excavation is being repurposed for other projects across Sydney, ensuring efficient use of the removed earth and rock.
Alongside the main excavation, two shafts are also being dug to serve as pedestrian access points. These shafts are being excavated with rock hammers.
The eastern shaft will extend to a depth of 40m, while the western shaft will reach 33m. These shafts will connect to the station cavern and provide access to the station.
Pyrmont Metro Station will serve as a key link on the Sydney Metro West route. Once operational, it will offer a two-minute journey between Pyrmont and Hunter Street and a 13-minute ride to Sydney Olympic Park.
The excavation of the Pyrmont tunnels is being managed by the John Holland CPB Contractors Ghella Joint Venture (JCG JV), Sydney Metro’s delivery partner. The construction of these tunnels forms a part of Sydney Metro West’s goal to handle 20,500 passengers per hour into Sydney’s Central Business District during the morning peak by 2036.
The Sydney Metro West project broke ground in 2020 and is expected to be completed by 2030. Once finished, Sydney will feature a network comprising four metro lines, 46 stations, and 113km of new rail.
