Three joint ventures have been shortlisted for the two tunnelling contracts which make up the bulk of construction for Sydney Metro West.
The new line will connect the Sydney CBD to Parramatta and Westmead, via the Inner West.
The three shortlisted joint ventures are: John Holland, CPB Contractors and Ghella Australia joint venture (JHCPBG JV), Gamuda and Laing O’Rouke Australia joint venture (GALC JV), and Acciona Australia and Ferrovial Australia joint venture (AF JV).
The contractors will participate in a first route, which will award the Central Tunnelling Package. This will involve 11 kilometres of twin tunnels from The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park.
The two unsuccessful contractors will then be invited to bid for the Western Tunnelling Package, which covers nine kilometres of twin tunnels from Westmead to Sydney Olympic Park. According to Transport for NSW this bid structure will increase competition in the delivery of tunnelling infrastructure in Australia.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said that the project is moving forward.
“The three shortlisted consortia have a wealth of Australian and international experience in delivering high quality infrastructure projects. We expect to be in a position to award the first contract by the middle of next year.”
The project is expected to create 10,000 direct jobs and 70,000 indirect jobs during the course of construction.
Once complete, Sydney Metro West aims to connect the Sydney and Parramatta CBDs in about 20 minutes. This will double rail capacity along the east-west spine of the city.
The project is currently in the planning stages, with community feedback garnered through the Environmental Impact Statement process being assessed by Sydney Metro.
Once the project clears planning approvals, work is expected to begin in The Bays before the end of 2020, with tunnel boring machines in the ground before the end of 2022.