Sydney Metro Northwest, Stage one of Australia’s biggest public transport project, has opened to the public. The Mott MacDonald, KBR and SMEC design joint venture (JV) worked on behalf of the John Holland-Leighton infrastructure JV, part of the Northwest Rapid Transit Consortium, who delivered the project.
Delivering over 36km of new metro rail for Sydney’s growing north-west, the AUS$8.3 billion project will improve travel time and increase reliability using a new generation of fully-automated trains. It also comprises eight new stations from Epping to Tallawong, five upgraded stations and 4,000 commuter car parking spaces.
The Mott MacDonald, KBR and SMEC design JV delivered the detailed design for the eight new stations which includes three underground stations, three new open-cut suburban stations and two new elevated stations. The JV was also responsible for train stabling maintenance facilities and the track and overhead power systems for the whole line.
Building information modelling (BIM) was successfully applied to this major transport infrastructure project and by adopting BIM, the JV minimised cost and schedule risk and enhanced constructability.
The innovative design developed by the Mott MacDonald KBR and SMEC JV reduced the use of raw construction material whilst enabling the architectural design of the stations to be implemented within budget. Reducing the use of raw construction materials and labour on site in favour of pre-fabricated elements has also increased the efficiency and sustainability of the project both in construction and in future maintenance operations.
John Mortimer, Mott MacDonald’s Australia managing director, said: “Sydney Metro Northwest starts a new era in public transport in Australia, providing for the first time in the country a fully accessible, fully automatic metro which will support the emergence of Sydney’s north west as a major residential and commercial centre. We are proud to have brought our international expertise to the joint venture which has enabled the delivery of a system which is not just functional, efficient and reliable but which will inspire people to change the way they travel through good design.”
Wayne Nolan, vice president, Infrastructure Services, KBR said: “We are proud to have worked on this project for our customers and with our design joint venture partners. KBR is committed to delivering creative solutions and services to enhance our society and believe Sydney Metro Northwest is a great example of us living our purpose and delivering for our customers. We look forward to continuing to provide solutions for transportation infrastructure across Australia.
James Phillis, SMEC CEO ANZ, said ““The Sydney Metro Northwest is not only the first Metro train system in Australia, it will also be Australia’s first driverless, fully automated passenger service. Seventy years on from our founding in the iconic Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, SMEC is proud to continue our legacy in another iconic, innovative and ground-breaking infrastructure project that is making a difference to Australians.”