One year on: City-shaping metro delivered — and the next chapter is underway
From Metro City to Metro West, Holcim’s teams and technology are strengthening Sydney’s transport future
Sydney’s metro through the CBD turned one today. In its first year, the City section added 15.5km of new rail under the harbour and through the CBD to Sydenham, with six new underground stations, new metro platforms at Central and Sydenham, and turn-up-and-go services as often as every four minutes in the peak. It’s moving up to 34,000 people per hour at peak and has cut the Chatswood–Martin Place trip to 11 minutes — unlocking access to jobs, education and the harbour foreshore at Barangaroo.
Delivering the next stage: Sydney Metro West – Eastern Tunnelling Package
Last month, Holcim Australia supported the Sydney Metro West, Eastern Tunnelling Project with a milestone continuous pour for the station cavern invert. The infrastructure is part of a once-in-a-generation program that will double rail capacity between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, with new stations from Westmead to Hunter Street and a targeted opening in 2032.
Hunter Street Station is Australia’s largest cavern by width and height – measuring 180 metres long, 28 metres wide, and 20 metres high.
Over 70 drivers safely and efficiently delivered concrete to the Hunter Street Station site to complete the mammoth cavern pour.
What we achieved — together
Working with the John Holland CPB Contractors Ghella Joint Venture and Kenny Constructions Concrete, our teams delivered a 3,042m³ continuous cavern concrete pour in 63 hours: nine hours faster than planned.
- Zero rejections, zero interruptions
- 70+ inducted drivers mobilised across the program
- 20+ Holcim people coordinating Operations, Technical, Project and Customer Service Centre functions
- Concrete supply from Alexandria, Artarmon and Lidcombe plants
- Reliable mix design engineered for long-duration placement and consistent finish
Three months ago, 2,400m³ was considered ambitious. Exceeding 3,000m³ demonstrates what careful planning, logistics and collaboration can unlock on complex underground works. The achievement shows the importance of the Holcim Spirit mindset that focuses on Purpose, People, and Performance.
One team, one outcome
This success was built on weeks of pre-pour coordination — logistics modelling, truck movements, driver changeovers and readiness checks — enabling the joint venture to complete the cavern invert efficiently and safely. It also reflects Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy to be the leading partner for sustainable construction, growing through high-value building solutions and disciplined delivery across key markets like Australia.
Image (“Why this matters for Sydney”): BurroBlando via iStock: New Martin Place Metro train station in Sydney.
