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Sydney Metro Northwest was the first stage of Sydney Metro – Australia’s biggest public transport project. It opened to the public in May 2019, connecting Chatswood to Rouse Hill across a high-frequency, fully automated driverless metro rail system.
Challenge
Sydney Metro Northwest spans 36km of rail line across eight new, fully accessible stations and five upgraded existing stations between Chatswood and Rouse Hill. The project included 15km of twin tunnels between Epping and Bella Vista and 4.2km elevated Skytrain between Bella Vista and Rouse Hill.
approach
Independent Certification Services
In a consortium with Australian engineering firm GHD, SYSTRA ANZ delivered Independent Certification Services for the Operations, Trains, and Systems (OTS) contract between 2014 to 2019. SYSTRA ANZ was involved from the preliminary design phase through to manufacturing of systems, implementation, testing and commissioning, ready for first passenger service, and final completion to ensure TfNSW received the new, fit-for-purpose driverless metro system intended in the original specification. Over 1,000 technical packages were certified before Sydney Metro Northwest opened to the public in May 2019.
Technical Advisory Services
SYSTRA Bamser were engaged to provide technical advice on Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) during the product definition phase. This included TBM build specification, capability assessment of manufacturers, programming for launch, reception and refurbishment, procurement and tunnelling production rates.
Constructability Services
SYSTRA Bamser delivered specialist tunnel constructability services as part of the Integrated Project Team in two specific phases aligned with the TfNSW development and procurement process:
- Working collaboratively to develop the tunnel and underground sections of the Product Definition Report and Constructability Report forming part of the Construction Plan and informing the EIS.
- Assisting in the RfP and evaluation process for the Tunnels and Stations Civil (TSC) package.
Auditing Services
SYSTRA Bamser provided auditing services during the delivery phase of the project. This involved auditing contractor works to measure compliance to several specified documents and provide actionable advice for implementation to improve project outcomes. Target areas for audit included people and plant interfaces, transport and material handling, emergency and safety equipment and processes, TBM operating procedures and communication systems.
Benefit
Sydney Metro Northwest opens the suburbs between Rouse Hill and Chatswood to greater economic, leisure and residential activity, allowing for easier movement in and out of the area. It also encourages greater rates of public transport use, decreasing congestion on the roads and future-proofs a region of Sydney experiencing huge population growth.
outcome
Sydney Metro is Australia’s biggest public transport project. By 2030, Sydney will have a network of four metro lines, 46 stations and 113km of new metro rail connecting Sydney’s northwest, west, southwest and greater west to fast, reliable turn-up-and-go services with fully accessible stations. The project will revitalise community spaces and enhance Sydney’s liveability and culture, providing better access to employment, health, and education centres as well as major sporting and entertainment precincts.
