Approval by NSW government of plan for A$1.4 billion, 28km orbital railway with 80% in tunnel through north-western suburbs from Westmead under Paramatta and on surface to Carlingford and then underground to Epping and on to Chatswood. Intersections with three existing lines. Construction to commence end-1999 with completion in six years. Dec 1998.   Sydney railway plans include a $130 million eastern suburbs extension with 3 km tunnel from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach to open in 2002; an Epping to Castle Hill link planned for commissioning in 2010 which is currently the subject of detailed study and should include a 7 km tunnelled section; and an 11 km-long underground link from Hurstville to Strathfield on a north-south alignment to connect five existing railway lines. April 2000. Awaiting go-ahead for the A$1.4 billion, 28-km Parramatta-Chatswood railway with more than 70% of the double track in tunnel with major underground stations at Parramatta and Carlingford, and platforms at Epping. Project completion by 2006. Visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au December 2000.  The New South Wales government awarded a A$850 million contract to a three-company consortium, the Thiess Hochtief Alstom Group, to build the 14 km Chatswood to Epping rail line. The underground line is a section of the Parramatta Rail Link. The Group will be responsible for the design and construction of two tunnels, each 13 km-long, and four stations, and the design, construction and commissioning of track, signal, and communication works for each of the tunnels. Detailed design of the new rail link will commence immediately, construction will start in October this year, and completion is expected in 2007-2008. Bovis Lend Lease will oversee the initial tunnelling, track and station works. Visit www.raillink.nsw.gov.au/default.htm and www.thiess.com.au 27/02.Leica Geosystems' distributor C.R. Kennedy has been appointed sole supplier of surveying equipment for the Chatswood / Paramatta rail link tunnel. The equipment being supplied are top-of-the-range models from the Leica Geosystems Total Stations series, including TCA1101, TCRA1101 and TCA1800 units as well as the Leica DNA03 Precise Digital Level, all of which are being used to help guide the accuracy of the tunnelling between Chatswood and Epping. The main component of the Chatswood to Epping section will be 13 km of twin tunnels, expected to be completed in 2005. Visit www.leica-geosystems.com and www.crkennedy.com.au 04/04.

Six consortia, comprising more than 60 companies, have signalled their intention to bid for the contract to build the twin 15.5 km-long tunnels between Sydney suburbs Bella Vista and Epping as follows:

•Baulderstone Bouyges North West Rail Joint Venture: Baulderstone Pty Ltd, Bouyges Travaux Publics;

•China Rail 15th Group Australia Pty Ltd;

•Civilinc: Acciona Infrastructure Australia Pty Ltd, Ferrovial Agroman (Australia) Pty Ltd, Ghella Pty Ltd;

•OHL Impregilo: Obrascon Huarte Lain SA (OHL), Impregilo S.p.A

•RapidLink: Obayashi Corporation, McConnell Dowell Constructors (Australia), Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction;

•Thiess John Holland Dragados: Thiess Pty Ltd, John Holland Pty Ltd, Dragados Australia Pty Ltd.

The call for tenders is scheduled for October, 2012. These will be the longest and deepest rail tunnels in Australia. Click here and visit http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au. 34/12.

The three consortia Baulderstone Bouygues North West Rail JV, Rapidlink JV (Obayashi, McConnell Dowell, Laing O’Rourke Australia) and JV Thiess John Holland Dragados JV were short-listed to tender for the contract to build the twin 15.5 km-long tunnels between Sydney suburbs Bella Vista and Epping. The contract, which was tendered last month, should be awarded in the second half of 2013. These tunnels will be the deepest and longest rail tunnels ever built in Australia. Click here and visit http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au. 44/12.

The NSW Government awarded the EUR808.75 million (AUD1.15 billion) contract to build the North West Rail Link’s 15 km twin tunnels from Bella Vista to Epping to the JV Thiess (50 percent)/John Holland (25 percent)/Dragados (25 percent). The contract requires four double-shield, hard rock, gripper TBMs. Excavation and civil works for five new stations at Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Showground, Norwest and Bella Vista are included. The first TBM should be in the ground by end-2014, with completion of the tunnel contract expected in the first half of 2017. Visit http://northwestrail.com.au/document/show/290. 27/13.

The Northwest Rapid Transit consortium, composed of MTR Corporation (Australia), John Holland, Leighton Contractors, UGL Rail Services and Plenary Group has been selected as the preferred operator to deliver the North West Rail Link’s operations contract. The Operations, Trains and Systems (OTS) contract includes building the eight brand new railway stations; delivering 4,000 commuter car parking spaces; supplying Sydney’s new generation, fully-automated rapid transit trains; building and operating the stabling and maintenance facility at Tallawong Road; installing tracks, signalling, mechanical and electrical systems; upgrading and converting the railway between Epping to Chatswood to rapid transit status; and operating the North West Rail Link – including all maintenance work. Visit http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/major-milestones-reached-north-west-rail-link-preferred-operator-selected. 26/14.

Invitation for Expression of Interest, deadline 31.05.2016, for the tunnel & station excavation (TSE) works for the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project comprising of 15.5 km twin tunnels from Chatswood, under Sydney Harbour, under Sydney’s CBD and through to Sydenham. The design and construction contract will include the demolition and site preparation, tunnel boring and lining and excavation of stations between Chatswood and Sydenham. Registration applications to participate in the TSE Works EOI process will close at 22.04.2016. Contact NSW Government, att.n Hilton Petters, tel +61 02 8265 8864, e-mail SydneyMetro.TSE@transport.nsw.gov.au. For further information visit https://tenders.nsw.gov.au/?event=public.rft.show&RFTUUID=7C8D1DD5-FD60-3A95-A080254DFFF709C9. Ref.n.         TfNSW 2016/021. 16/16.

Two groups have been shortlisted to build the tunnels and stations under Sydney Harbour and through the Central Business District (CBD) for Sydney Metro – Australia’s biggest public transport project: the Joint Venture composed by John Holland Pty Ltd, CPB Contractors Pty Ltd and Ghella Pty Ltd; the Joint Venture made up of Ferrovial Agroman (Australia) Pty Ltd,  Acciona Infrastructure Australia Pty Ltd and  BAM International Australia Pty Ltd.

The NSW Government expects to award the contract to build the tunnels around the middle of next year. The first of five TBMs will be in the ground before the end of 2018 to deliver new twin railway tunnels, stretching 15.5km, from Chatswood to Sydenham and more than 40m below the surface of Sydney Harbour. Sydney Metro & Southwest is expected to open by 2024. Click au/11 for tunnelbuilder  archive. Visit http://www.sydneymetro.info/article/city-southwest-tunnel-builders-shortlisted and https://www.nsw.gov.au/. Ref.n. TfNSW 2016/021. 32/16.

The three groups Lendlease Development Pty Ltd, John Holland Charter Hall JV and Dexus Funds Management Ltd have been shortlisted for the tender to build Victoria Cross Station in North Sydney and the building above the station – the first integrated station package to be shortlisted.

The NSW Government expects to award the contracts later this year.

Sydney Metro services start in the first half of 2019 on the Sydney Metro Northwest project, with metro rail to be extended in 2024 under Sydney Harbour, through the CBD and beyond to Bankstown. Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info/article/groups-shortlisted-two-major-sydney-metro-contracts.

11/18.

The three groups Lorth JV (a joint venture between Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd and John Holland Pty Ltd), Metconnect (a joint venture between Downer EDI Engineering Power Pty Ltd and RCR O’Donnell Griffin Pty Ltd) and Systems Connect (a joint venture between UGL Engineering Pty Ltd and CPB Contractors Pty Ltd) have been shortlisted for the Metro line-wide works which includes laying tracks in the 15.5 km tunnels from Chatswood to Sydenham, installing electrical systems including substations, constructing Sydney Metro Trains Facility South and converting the existing Bankstown Line to allow metro trains to run.

The NSW Government expects to award the contracts later this year.

Sydney Metro services start in the first half of 2019 on the Sydney Metro Northwest project, with metro rail to be extended in 2024 under Sydney Harbour, through the CBD and beyond to Bankstown. Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info/article/groups-shortlisted-two-major-sydney-metro-contracts.

11/18

Laing O’Rourke secured the EUR599,31 million (AUD955 million) contract to build the new Sydney Metro underground platforms at Central Station and Central Walk, a key component of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project.

Laing O’Rourke will deliver the project alongside global architecture firm Woods Bagot and its partner John McAslan + Partners, and with one of the world's leading design partnerships comprising GHD and Aurecon.

The Central contract includes the excavation and construction of the new underground Sydney Metro platforms at Central beneath platforms 13 and 14; Central Walk – a new 19 m wide underground concourse from Chalmers Street, connecting customers to suburban rail platforms, Sydney Metro platforms, the new light rail and buses.

Completion of the Central Walk and Central Station metro upgrade contract is expected in 2022, with Central Walk open to customers.

Once the Central contract is complete, work will continue along the 30km length of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project to lay tracks and fit out stations before services start in 2024. Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info and https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au and http://www.laingorourke.com. 11/18.

The NSW Government awarded the EUR877,93 million (AUD1.376 billion) contract to Systems Connect (as an unincorporated Joint Venture between CPB Contractors and UGL) for the extension of the new metro railway into the CBD and beyond to Bankstown, between Chatswood and Sydenham in Sydney.

The contract includes 31 km of underground railway track to be laid in the twin railway tunnels from Chatswood to Sydenham; 31 km of overhead power equipment and 11 new substations to power the metro from Chatswood to Bankstown; Installation of over 350km of high voltage, low voltage and tunnel service cabling; Connecting the railway tracks from the end of Sydney Metro at Chatswood to the new tracks  into the city; the expansion of the Sydney Metro Trains Facility at Rouse Hill to accommodate 37 new trains for Sydney Metro City & Southwest; the construction of the Sydney Metro Trains Facility - South at Marrickville; the  installation of tunnel equipment such as ventilation, drainage and emergency evacuation and monitoring equipment as well as the fit out of the tunnel ventilation and high voltage equipment in the seven new underground stations.

This is the seventh Sydney Metro City & Southwest contract to be awarded.

Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info  and https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au.

48/18.

Additional links:-

https://www.sydneymetro.info/article/1376-billion-line-wide-contract-awarded

https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/metro-on-track-as-1376-billion-contract-awarded

The NSW Government has awarded the EUR877,93 million (AUD1.376 billion) contract to Systems Connect (as an unincorporated Joint Venture between CPB Contractors and UGL) for the extension of the new metro railway into the CBD and beyond to Bankstown, between Chatswood and Sydenham in Sydney.

The contract includes 31 km of underground railway track to be laid in the twin railway tunnels from Chatswood to Sydenham; 31 km of overhead power equipment along with 11 new substations to power the metro from Chatswood to Bankstown; Installation of over 350km of high voltage, low voltage and tunnel service cabling; Connecting the railway tracks from the end of Sydney Metro at Chatswood to the new tracks  into the city; the expansion of the Sydney Metro Trains Facility at Rouse Hill to accommodate 37 new trains for Sydney Metro City & Southwest; the construction of the Sydney Metro Trains Facility - South at Marrickville; the  installation of tunnel equipment such as ventilation, drainage and emergency evacuation and monitoring equipment as well as the fit out of the tunnel ventilation and high voltage equipment in the seven new underground stations.

This is the seventh Sydney Metro City & Southwest contract to be awarded.

Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info  and https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au.

48/18.

additional links:-

https://www.sydneymetro.info/article/1376-billion-line-wide-contract-awarded

https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/metro-on-track-as-1376-billion-contract-awarded

The NSW Government shortlisted the following three consortia to deliver the mega project’s first two major tunnelling packages for the construction of the Sydney Metro West, from Greater Parramatta to the CBD. Due to the scale of this city-shaping mega project the tunnelling and excavation works have been separated into geographically-specific contract packages between Westmead and the Sydney CBD.

• JHCPBG JV - John Holland, CPB Contractors and Ghella Australia; • GALC JV - Gamuda and Laing O’Rourke Australia; • AF JV - Acciona Australia and Ferrovial Australia.

They will firstly participate in the Central Tunnelling Package, with the successful tenderer awarded a contract to build 11 km of twin tunnels from The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park.

The remaining two tenderers will then bid for the Western Tunnelling Package, with the successful tenderer awarded a contract to build 9 km of twin tunnels from Westmead to Sydney Olympic Park.

The successful tenderer for the Central Tunnelling Package will not be eligible to be awarded the Western Tunnelling Package, driving greater competition in the delivery of Australian tunnelling infrastructure. Sydney Metro West will double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, transforming Sydney for generations to come.

Subject to planning approval, work on the project is expected to start in The Bays later this year, with the first of four mega TBMs expected to be in the ground before the end of 2022.

Click au/11 and visit https://www.sydneymetro.info. 36/20.

Construction of the new Metro railway line, which will service Greater Western Sydney and the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, is one step closer.  

Three consortia have been shortlisted to deliver the mega project’s tunnelling works. They are:  

Bouygues Construction Australia Pty Ltd 

John Holland Gamuda Joint Venture 

Acciona Construction Australia Pty Ltd        

The successful tunnelbuilder will deliver 10 km of twin Metro railway tunnels and the associated excavations of station boxes.  

The station box and tunnelling contract is expected to be awarded by the end of this year, with the first of four mega TBMs expected to be in the ground by the middle of 2023.  

The Australian and NSW governments are jointly delivering the 23km Metro railway and six stations between St Marys and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, including two stations at the airport.  

The project will support 14,000 jobs, including 250 apprentices. Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info/article/airport-metro-rail-one-step-closer. 09/21. 

Sydney Metro has awarded to BESIX Watpac from Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, the (AUD217 million) (EUR141.34 million) contract to build the 30 m underground new Barangaroo Station in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.  The contract includes the station fit out, building a station entrance next to Nawi Cove and upgrading Hickson Road. The excavation stage - station box and crossover cavern - is complete (after two years of work to remove about 650,000 t of dirt and rock). Now the station itself has to be built and the construction work will begin in October 2021 with completion due in 2023. Sydney Metro City & Southwest is due to open in 2024. Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info. 11/21. 

Sydney Metro has awarded to Acciona Construction Australia Pty Ltd and Ferrovial Construction (Australia) Pty Ltd Joint Venture the AUD 1.96 bn (EUR1.24 billion) contract to build the central section of Sydney Metro West, the new underground rail line that runs through a large part of Australia's largest city. 

The contract includes twin 11 km metro railway tunnels from The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park; excavation and civil works for five new stations at The Bays, Five Dock, Burwood North, North Strathfield and Sydney Olympic Park; two double-shield, hard rock TBMs; a crossover cavern at Burwood North and one of the two precast concrete factories at Eastern Creek; more than 70,000 concrete segments to line the twin tunnels; two access shafts at Burwood North and The Bays; a TBM launch site at The Bays Station and a TBM retrieval site at Sydney Olympic Park Station.

Completion of the tunnelling contract is expected in 2025. Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info,  https://www.acciona.com and https://newsroom.ferrovial.com.  30/21.

Sydney metro is inviting, deadline 26/11/2021, suitably qualified and experienced tunnelling and cavern excavation contractors to pre-register their interest to participate in the procurement process for the Sydney Metro West – Eastern Tunnelling Package.    

The Eastern Tunnelling Package will build on the Central and Western Tunnelling Packages and will extend  the tunnels for Sydney Metro West from The Bays to Hunter Street Station in the Sydney CBD.  

The scope of works for the Eastern Tunnelling Package is subject to further development and planning approval and is expected to include: 

• approximately 2.5 km twin metro railway tunnels between The Bays and Hunter Street station sites, including mined cross passages; 
• excavation of a mined crossover cavern at the east of The Bays station site; 
• Pyrmont station mined cavern excavation, including two station shafts and associated adits and nozzle enlargements, including temporary ground support; 
• Hunter Street station mined cavern excavation, including two station shafts and associated adits and nozzle enlargements, including temporary ground support; and 
• turnback tunnels and mined caverns to the east of Hunter Street (Sydney CBD) station site.  

At Pyrmont and Hunter Street station sites, works will also include: 

• demolition of all existing buildings/structures on the four station shaft sites (two at Pyrmont and two at Hunter Street); 
• the provision of cast in situ concrete linings for all mined station caverns, adits and nozzle enlargements; and 
• ancillary works including utility services works and minor road works.  

ROI applications are to be submitted electronically only, via email to Karen.Gao@transport.nsw.gov.au.  For further information visit https://www.tenders.nsw.gov.au. Ref.n. SM2021/027. 38/21. 

The following 3 organisations have been shortlisted to tender for the SSTOM (Stations, Systems, Trains, Operations and Maintenance) package on the 23 km Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport project: 

• Bradfield Metro, comprising of John Laing Limited, Keolis Downer Pty Ltd, FCC Construction Australia Pty Ltd and Hitachi Rail STS Australia Pty Ltd. 
• Parklife Metro, comprising of Plenary Origination Pty Ltd, Webuild SpA, RATP Development SA, Siemens Mobility Pty Ltd, Siemens Mobility GmbH, Siemens Project Ventures GmbH and Siemens Mobility Austria GmbH. 
• WestGo, comprising of Pacific Partnerships Pty Ltd, Acciona Concesiones, S.L., DIF Management Australia Pty Ltd, CPB Contractors Pty Limited, Acciona Construction Australia Pty Ltd, UGL Engineering Pty Ltd, ComfortDelGro Transit Pte. Ltd, UGL Rail Services Pty Ltd and Coleman Rail Pty Ltd.  

The successful tenderer will build six new metro stations (St Marys, Orchard Hills, Luddenham, Airport Business Park, Airport Terminal and Western Sydney Aerotropolis) and elements of the surrounding precincts, the stabling and maintenance facility, provide rail infrastructure and systems required for the supply, commission and operations of the new trains, and run the 23 km Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line when operational.  

The new metro railway stations will be cut-and-cover, open-cut and elevated stations. The contract is expected to be awarded at the end of 2022. Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info. 43/21 

The New South Wales Government awarded to the Joint Venture Ghella and CIMIC Group’s CPB Contractors the EUR 1.15 bn (AUD 1.8 bn) contract for the Sydney Metro-Western Sydney Airport Station Boxes and Tunnelling Works. The WSA-SBT contract includes the design and construction of 9.8 km twin tunnels and excavations for 6 stations at St Marys, Orchard Hills, Luddenham, Airport Business Park, Airport Terminal and Aerotropolis on the 23 km metro railway running from St Mary’s through to the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.  

Major work will start in the coming months for site establishment and preparatory works for tunnelling to get underway in early 2023. 

Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info, https://www.ghella.com, https://www.cpbcon.com.au and https://www.cimic.com.au. 51/21 

Sydney Metro shortlisted the following three consortia: 

• Acciona Construction Australia Pty Ltd & Ferrovial Construction (Australia) Pty Ltd joint venture (AF JV); 
• Bouygues Construction Australia Pty Ltd, Vinci Construction Grands Projets Australia Pty Ltd & Soletanche Bachy International joint venture (BV JV); and 
• John Holland Pty Ltd, CPB Contractors Pty Ltd & Ghella Pty Ltd joint venture (JCG JV). 

to deliver the final piece of tunnelling for Sydney Metro West into the heart of the Sydney CBD, the Eastern Tunnelling package which includes 2.5km of twin tunnels under Sydney Harbour between The Bays and the Sydney CBD and the excavation of Pyrmont and Hunter Street stations. 

The Eastern Tunnelling Package contract is expected to be awarded by the end of 2022. For further information visit https://www.sydneymetro.info/article/sydney-metro-west-tunnelling-update. Ref.n. SM2021/027. 07/22.

The Gamuda Australia and Laing O’Rourke Consortium has been awarded EUR 1.45 bn (AUD2.16 bn) Western Tunnelling contract to deliver 9 km of twin metro rail tunnels between Sydney Olympic Park and Westmead on the mega Sydney Metro West project.  

The Western Tunnelling contract includes twin 9km tunnels from Sydney Olympic Park to Westmead, a TBM  launch site at Rosehill, tunnelling toward Sydney Olympic Park and relaunched toward Westmead; a services facility and crossover structure at Rosehill for fresh air ventilation and emergency egress; tunnel portal and dive excavation at Clyde Services and Maintenance Facility; earthworks, retaining structures, drainage and utilities corridor for the Clyde Maintenance Facility; two spur tunnels connecting the dive structure to the Main tunnel at Clyde; excavation and civil works for Parramatta and Westmead Stations; and a segment manufacturing facility at Eastern Creek. Completion of the contract is expected by the end of 2025. 

Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info and https://www.nsw.gov.au.  09/22. 

John Holland, CPB Contractors (CPB) and Ghella joint venture (JCG JV) have been awarded the Eastern Tunnelling contract to deliver 3.5 km of metro rail tunnels between The Bays and Hunter Street in the Sydney CBD.  

This is the third and final major tunnelling package awarded on this project, and is the last piece in the tunnelling puzzle to build the 24-km metro rail tunnels from Westmead to the Sydney CBD.  

The Eastern Tunnelling contract includes:   

• 3.5 km tunnels from The Bays to the Sydney CBD;  
• A TBM launch site at The Bays where two TBMs will be launched towards Hunter Street; the TBMs will cross the harbour near the Anzac Bridge, before heading to the new Pyrmont Station and then under Darling Harbour before reaching Hunter Street Station in the heart of the CBD. 
• A turnback cavern to the east of the new Hunter Street Station, allowing trains to turn around before travelling back towards Parramatta;   
• Excavation and civil works for two new cavern stations at Pyrmont and Hunter Street in Sydney CBD;  
• More than 8,000 segments to line the tunnels.    

Preparations for tunnelling on this final section of the line will start next year, with 2023 gearing up to the be the year of tunnelling for Sydney Metro West. Work is already underway to prepare for construction of the twin tunnels between The Bays and Sydney Olympic Park, and between Sydney Olympic Park and Westmead. TBMs are expected to start work in early 2023.  

Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info/ and https://ghella.com/en/. 48/22. 

The SSTOM (Stations, Systems, Trains, Operations and Maintenance) contract on the 23 km Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport project has been awarded to the Parklife Metro consortium, comprising of Plenary Origination Pty Ltd, Webuild SpA, RATP Development SA, Siemens Mobility Pty Ltd, Siemens Mobility GmbH, Siemens Project Ventures GmbH and Siemens Mobility Austria GmbH.   

The contract includes 12 new metro trains, six new stations between St Marys and the new Aerotropolis, core rail systems and the stabling and maintenance facility to be built at Orchard Hills.    

Parklife Metro will also operate and maintain the Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport line for 15 years after it becomes operational.   

The awarding of the final contract coincides with another significant project milestone, with Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport becoming the first rail infrastructure project in Australian history to commit to being certified carbon-neutral from the start of construction through to operation. All carbon emissions generated during construction and operation will be reduced and offset.   

Plenty of activity is already underway as part of this mega project, including preparations at the future Aerotropolis Station for tunnelling from the airport to the Aerotropolis site, which will commence in 2023. Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info. 50/22.