Engineering, Environment and Sustainability, Passenger Rail

TfNSW takes advice from public on Metro tunnel

Transport for NSW has announced several refinements it will make to the delivery of the second stage of the massive Sydney Metro project, as a result of community feedback.

Set to open in 2024, the City & Southwest stage of the Sydney Metro project will see the new line extended from Chatswood to a new tunnel under the harbour and CBD, before connecting with existing tracks at Sydenham, which will then be converted to metro standard as far as Bankstown.

With key contracts for the work still up in the air, Transport for NSW has conducted a community feedback stage it says generated more than 300 suggestions from the public, leading to four considerations.

First, TfNSW agreed to look into using barges on Sydney Harbour to move tunnel boring machine parts from north of the harbour, and to take crushed rock from the new Barangaroo Station site, in an effort to reduce impacts on roads and traffic.

It also said it would “safeguard” a future underground pedestrian link between Martin Place Station and O’Connell Street.

Third, “rock-breaking using heavy construction equipment will only take place during standard construction hours, with the exception of Central Station, significantly reducing potential noise impacts”.

And finally, it said an alternative site will be investigated within the Artarmon Industrial Estate for the Artarmon power substation.

“After the Environmental Impact Statement was put on public exhibition earlier this year, 301 submissions were received from the community and businesses and 17 from local councils and government departments,” Transport said in a statement.

“Transport for NSW will continue to work with the community at every stage of the project as we deliver this world-class metro railway for Sydney.

“The Department of Planning and Environment will now consider the responses and make a recommendation in coming months.”