A tunnel boring machine (TBM) has broken through the final metre of solid rock into the future station at Hunter Street, bringing tunnelling on the new Sydney Metro West line to a close.
The breakthrough also marks the completion of all tunnelling on four Sydney Metro projects: North West, City, Western Sydney Airport and West.
Tunnelling began in 2014 between Epping and Bella Vista and saw the excavation of 14.7 million tonnes of rock across the four lines.
In total, 19 TBMs have created 128 kilometres of metro tunnel underneath Sydney to all points west.
For Sydney Metro West, tunnelling took place 24/7 for two years and ten months to create the twin tunnels on the 24-kilometre line.
The first of TBMs reached Hunter Street in December 2025.
Crews will now begin work on the fit-out of the tunnel, with track laying to commence by the end of this year.
The team at the Hunter Street site are also preparing to disassemble the TBMs and bring each up in 16 large pieces from 27 metres below ground.
The TBMs will then be moved through the city centre – an undertaking that will happen in the middle of the night to ensure minimal disruption.
The Metro West line at Hunter Street will connect to the current city line at Martin Place in a busy underground hub.
Sydney Metro West is targeting an opening date of 2032, with a total investment of $27-$29 billion.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the end of tunnelling marks a “huge moment” for the delivery of this city-shaping project.
“Metro West will transform Sydney by joining our two biggest CBDs via a 20-minute train ride,” he said.
Minister for Transport John Graham thanked the 23,000 workers who toiled underground to bring the tunnelling job to a safe conclusion.
“This has been another world-class tunnelling job by a highly-skilled workforce,” he said.
“Their work has been seen by few but will be appreciated by many.
“These twin tunnels will provide a quantum leap in how our public transport system connects people to the places they need to access as the city’s west continues to grow in population and economic importance.”
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