Sydney Metro: Central Station’s new underground platforms revealed

Work on the landmark new underground Central Station concourse is hurtling ahead, with construction work breaking through the station’s ghost platforms to begin connecting the Sydney Metro.

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While most of Australia works from home as the war against COVID-19 continues, construction work on the landmark new Central Station has progressed — with social distancing measures.

In the biggest upgrade to Sydney’s busiest train station in decades, two new platforms are being built underground for the new Sydney Metro.

Construction on the new Central Walk, which will link the Metro with existing platforms, is well underway.

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The Metro line when completed will stretch from the North West, where it currently is open, through an underground tunnel in Sydney Harbour and eventually to the Bankstown line.

To help connect the new Metro stations with existing train platforms, light rail and buses at Central Station, an expansive underground concourse is being constructed.

Work has been powering on at Central despite the pandemic. Photo Jeremy Piper

Central Station ghost platform’s were built last century but never used.

To build the Central Walk a six-metre wide, 80m long construction tunnel is being used to carry out 6000 tonnes of rock so trains can continue operating above.

The construction tunnel has even hit Central’s ghost platforms. Platforms 26 and 27 were originally built to service the Eastern Suburbs train line but left unfinished.

Now the platforms will become 17 power and communications rooms to help the new Metro run smoothly.

Central Station update – we’re 10 metres below the surface as we build two new metro platforms and the landmark Central Walk. More here: www.sydneymetro.info/article/central-station-update

Posted by Sydney Metro - NSW GOV on Tuesday, 21 April 2020

Transport minister Andrew Constance said allowing the construction to continue during the coronavirus pandemic was a win for the workers.

“We are very fortunate that major transport infrastructure projects like this continue to be delivered,” Mr Constance said.

“The health and safety of all workers and the community are our key priorities as we continue to deliver major projects, and we have put in place strict protocols to protect the safety of our construction workforce,” he said.

Artist impression of the new eastern entrance to Central Station at Chalmers St, Surry Hills. Picture: Supplied

“More than 5000 people are currently working across the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project, and by the time the project opens, around 50,000 people will have worked on it.

“The upcoming Sydney Metro West project will support 10,000 direct and 70,000 indirect jobs while construction of the Metro North West Line created more than 20,000 jobs.”

The new look Central Station is expected to be fully operating by 2024.