Tunnel boring machine (TBM) Ruby is now in the final leg of tunnelling on the Sydney Metro West project.
The 1100-tonne machine started its 1.1 kilometre journey from Pyrmont to the future Hunter Street Station at the beginning of September.
The TBM will tunnel through Sydney sandstone at an average speed of 90 metres per week to build the tunnel approximately 37 metres below ground.
This section of tunnel will require the TBM to travel below Darling Harbour from the Australian Maritime Museum to King Street Wharf for 250 metres.
These metro tunnels will be located 35 metres below the water surface level, where there is approximately five metres between the harbour floor and the top of the tunnel.
A team of 12 TBM operators will guide Ruby to the finish line, working in 12-hour shifts.
Sydney Metro said the complex dig will require precision as the TBMs travel within metres of the Australian Maritime Museum, the City East electricity cable tunnel and Wynyard Station.
In the coming weeks, TBM Jessie will relaunch from Pyrmont to make the final trip to Hunter Street, carving out the parallel tunnel to TBM Ruby.
Both TBMs will reach their end destination by the end of the year, finishing the 2.3-kilometre section of tunnel between The Bays and Hunter Street.
This includes the TBMs working their way below Sydney Harbour three times at Rodd Point, Johnsons Bay and Darling Harbour.
Tunnelling for Sydney Metro West has been underway since early 2023, with the project targeting a completion date of 2032.
Major tunnelling has now reached 90 per cent completion for the 24-kilometre line that will connect Westmead to the Sydney CBD.
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