Sydney’s new metro railway will run through two purpose designed and built tunnels.
A number of factors determine the tunnel route and alignment. These include:
- the location, depth and structure of the stations
- vertical track grade
- rock conditions
- track curvature, to allow train speeds of up to 100 kilometres an hour
- the physical constraints of the route, including crossing under Sydney Harbour.
Stage 1: Sydney Metro Northwest
Tunnelling finished in January 2016 on Australia’s longest railway tunnels – twin 15 kilometre tunnels from Bella Vista to Epping as part of Stage 1 of Sydney Metro.
Stage 2: Sydney Metro City & Southwest
Tunnelling will start in 2018 on the twin tunnels for Stage 2, from Chatswood to Sydenham, including under Sydney Harbour and through the central business district (CBD).
Australia's longest railway tunnels are finished
TBM2 Florence breaks through at Cherrybrook
