The EUR5.6 billion North West Rail Link project includes construction of twin 15 km tunnels from Bella Vista to Epping – Australia’s longest rail tunnels. The EUR770 million tunnelling contract was awarded in late June 2013 to consortium Thiess John Holland Dragados. The contract also includes excavation and civil works for five new stations at Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Showground, Norwest and Bella Vista, and two service facilities.

Work started at the new Bella Vista Station site to prepare the site for the first TBM that will be in the ground before end-October. The remaining three TBMs will follow soon after, as work ramps up on building the tunnels. Roadheaders will be used to build short sections, such as for linking the new tunnels to the existing Epping to Chatswood tunnels as well as for the cavern to allow trains to cross from one track to another. The North West Rail Link will open to customers by the end of 2019. Visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/news/tunnel-boring-machine-deployed-early. 14/14.