Project Profile: Sydney Metro West and the Hunter Street Station Interchange

The Sydney Metro West is a 24-kilometre, fully automated rapid transit line designed to connect Greater Parramatta with the Sydney CBD. This profile details the project’s technical specifications and the engineering of the Hunter Street Station, a new CBD interchange critical to the network’s function. The project aims to double the rail capacity of the Western Sydney corridor, supporting significant urban growth and improving transport efficiency.

Technical Specifications

The Sydney Metro West line is engineered for high-frequency, driverless operations (GoA4 – Grade of Automation 4). The route consists of 24 km of twin-bore tunnels excavated primarily by tunnel boring machines (TBMs), connecting nine new stations. The Hunter Street Station is a key engineering feat, constructed as a large-span cavern beneath the CBD. The station features a twin-site design, with entrances on George Street (west) and O’Connell Street (east), connected by underground walkways to the existing Wynyard, Martin Place, and Barangaroo transport hubs. Initial excavation at the eastern site began with a road header to create a decline access tunnel, followed by the excavation of the main station cavern and turnback tunnels required for operational flexibility.

Integrated with the station’s construction are two significant over-station developments. These high-rise towers (51 and 58 storeys) will provide approximately 150,000 m² of mixed-use space, leveraging the transport infrastructure to maximize land use density in the CBD core. The project’s design includes extensive geotechnical analysis and careful management of the complex subterranean environment, including relocation of existing city utilities.

Key Takeaways

• Capacity Enhancement: The project is forecast to double the rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, directly alleviating congestion on the existing T1 Western Line.
• Reduced Travel Times: The high-speed, automated system will deliver significantly faster journey times, with travel from Parramatta to the CBD estimated at approximately 20 minutes.
• Integrated Urban Development: The Hunter Street Station exemplifies a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model, combining critical public transport infrastructure with high-density commercial, retail, and residential space to stimulate economic activity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will Sydney Metro West open?

Sydney Metro West is scheduled to open to passengers by 2032, subject to the final construction and commissioning timeline. The Hunter Street Station tunnelling phase was projected for completion by mid-2025, with station fit-out and systems integration to follow.

Who is building the Hunter Street Station?

The contract for the Hunter Street Station and associated tunnels was awarded to the John Holland, CPB Contractors, and Ghella Joint Venture (JCG JV). This consortium is responsible for the excavation and civil engineering works for the station cavern, access tunnels, and station buildings.