Tunnelling on the Sydney Metro West project is approaching 90 per cent completion, following the arrival of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) at the future Parramatta metro station. The milestone brings the city’s transformative infrastructure project a step closer to delivering fast, frequent and reliable metro services between Greater Parramatta and Sydney’s central business district.
TBM Dorothy broke through a solid rock wall last week to reach the Parramatta site, while TBM Betty began her final drive towards Westmead on 17 July. Betty has since progressed 175 metres on this last stretch of tunnelling.
The two TBMs have been in operation for 17 months, working around the clock five days a week to construct the seven-kilometre twin tunnels between Sydney Olympic Park and Parramatta. Over the course of the operation, approximately 1.25 million tonnes of earth have been excavated—enough to fill more than 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The machines have also installed over 48,000 precast concrete segments to form the tunnel linings, each segment weighing up to four tonnes.
The main line tunnelling at the western end of the Metro West line is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, as both TBMs continue advancing westward. This segment forms a key part of the future high-capacity metro line connecting Sydney’s second CBD in Parramatta with the city centre.
To date, six of the nine station boxes on the Sydney Metro West alignment have been fully excavated and lined. These include sites at The Bays, Five Dock, Burwood North, North Strathfield, Sydney Olympic Park, and Westmead. Construction is ongoing at Parramatta, Pyrmont and Hunter Street station in the Sydney CBD.
At Parramatta, the future metro station will anchor a major mixed-use development across two city blocks, covering 24,150 square metres. The precinct will include around 100 new homes, office space, retail outlets, dining and entertainment venues.
The station itself will be closely integrated with other modes of transport, including Parramatta’s Light Rail network, and will provide a direct connection to the Civic Link—a new 450-metre pedestrian spine linking the metro to the future Powerhouse Parramatta cultural facility. It will also be within easy walking distance of Eat Street, one of the city’s most vibrant hospitality areas.
Sydney Metro West is expected to double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the CBD, cutting travel times and easing pressure on the existing suburban rail lines.
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