Sydney Metro Opens Tunnels for Community Walk
Over 1,200 residents walked 1.3 km through Metro West tunnels 45 meters underground
Sydney Metro Opens Tunnels for Public Walk
More than 1,200 Sydney residents walked through the Metro West tunnels on May 4, descending 45 meters underground for a rare look at the city's newest transit infrastructure. Participants walked 1.3 kilometers from Bays West station box to Pyrmont station through 7-meter-high tunnels, transit officials said. The 15-minute walk offered a glimpse of what'll become a 2-minute metro journey when services begin in 2032.
Context
The community walk followed completion of tunnelling work in February, when the final boring machine broke through into Hunter Street station cavern. Sydney Metro has completed 128 kilometers of tunnelling across all projects since 2014, according to the transit agency. The Metro West project represents the largest current expansion of Sydney's rail network, connecting the CBD with Greater Parramatta. Minister for Transport John Graham described it as a once-in-a-generation project that'll transform movement between the two centers.
Project Details
The NSW Government awarded $11.5 billion in contracts in December for track, rail systems, five Metro West stations, tunnel fit-outs, train fleet supply and operation, and Hunter Street Station development. The $27-29 billion Metro West project will support major housing developments, including up to 18,000 homes around Burwood North station, 18,000 homes around North Strathfield station, 15,000 homes around Sydney Olympic Park station, and 8,500 homes near Bays station. With tunnelling complete, the project's now focusing on station construction and tunnel fit-out work, officials said.
Timeline
Metro West services are scheduled to begin in 2032, officials confirmed. The community walk provided a rare opportunity to experience the infrastructure before tunnel fit-out begins, as the tunnels will soon be filled with tracks, power systems, and safety equipment. Officials said station construction work's already underway at multiple locations along the line.
Rider Impact
When operational in 2032, Metro West will deliver travel times of 2 minutes from Pyrmont to Hunter Street, 4 minutes from Bays to Hunter Street, 18 minutes from Pyrmont to Parramatta, and 22 minutes from Westmead to Hunter Street. The new line will provide faster connections between western Sydney and the CBD while supporting tens of thousands of new homes near stations. Riders can track Sydney Metro construction progress and plan future trips using Moovit's real-time transit information.
