Excavation at Sydney Metro West’s Hunter Street Station is progressing rapidly, marking a significant milestone in the development of this crucial CBD transport hub.

The station, situated 30 metres underground, is witnessing a flurry of activity as three roadheaders work tirelessly to excavate the station cavern.

Roadheaders are powerful electric-powered tunnelling machines equipped with rotating heads fitted with metal picks, specifically designed to break and excavate rock.

These machines, each weighing up to 120 tonnes, are instrumental in excavating the Hunter Street Station cavern and the associated turnback tunnels.

The turnback tunnels, located to the east of the new station, will allow trains to turn around before heading back towards Westmead.

Excavation progress has been impressive, with more than 149,000 tonnes of dirt already removed by the roadheaders.

The largest area of the cavern excavated so far measures 235 square metres, showcasing the scale and complexity of the operation.

As the roadheaders continue their work, attention will soon shift to the launch of two tunnel-boring machines at The Bays in mid-2024.

These machines will carve out the 3.5-kilometre twin rail tunnels beneath Darling Harbour, connecting to Hunter Street.

Upon its completion, Sydney Metro West will offer passengers convenient underground access to metro services on the Metro North West Line and City & Southwest Line at Martin Place.

Additionally, quick connections to the Sydney light rail and train network will be available on George Street and at Wynyard Station — offering seamless travel options across the city.

Sydney Metro West is set to transform the city’s transport landscape, doubling rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.

This expansion will not only link new communities to rail services but also support the housing supply, shaping Sydney’s future for generations to come.