Map reveals entire route of Sydney Metro tunnels through lower north shore

A MAP of the Sydney Metro route show plans to tunnel under homes, roads and council property in the lower north shore.

The Sydney Metro exact route through North Sydney and Crows Nest. Image: North Sydney Council

• Clock shop faces its final hour ahead of Metro construction
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A MAP showing the route of the Sydney Metro through the lower north shore has been revealed.

The route has been detailed in a North Sydney Council document and shows the path from McMahons Point to St Leonards.

Twin rail tunnels will cross under Sydney Harbour and hit land at the southern tip of Blues Point.

They will move underneath the reserve and travel north, crossing Blues Point Rd. The route passes underneath a line of homes and the North Shore rail line.

The tunnels start following directly under Miller St at North Sydney, where there will be a station.

Route under McMahons Point.

The route moves northwest at Ridge St and passes directly under St Mary’s church.

They then go beneath homes in Hayberry St, Crows Nest, to another station on the ­Pacific Highway.

The tunnels exit the local government area at Chandos St, St Leonards.

Transport for NSW recently wrote to the council as it is proposing to acquire substratum land underneath council property for the tunnels.

The property affected includes parks, roads and buildings.

“Where possible, the rail tunnels are located beneath major roads, open space or public buildings,” the letter from metro program director Rodd Staples said.

“However, this is not always feasible.”

The Crows Nest section.

The council’s property department is in the process of obtaining further legal advice to determine the future impact on the value of properties impacted by the underground tunnelling.

Under current laws, if land under the surface is compulsorily acquired compensation is not payable unless the surface of the overlying soil or support is disturbed.

A further report is being prepared outlining the potential impacts the acquisition of the substratum land will have on council-owned and controlled land.

HOW THE SYDNEY METRO WILL WORK

DEMOLITION BEGINS

THE first signs of the Sydney Metro project are visible in the heart of North Sydney.

A strip of buildings in Miller St is surrounded by green fencing as structural demolition work is under way.

The Tower Square centre was previously a hive of activity and was filled with lunchtime cafes.

Now the centre is being stripped apart by a demolition crew.

Demolition is underway at Tower Square. Picture: Phillip Rogers

Neighbouring towers are also coming down and a web of scaffolding is now a feature of the North Sydney skyline.

It is expected that demolition of four buildings will be completed by early 2018.

The new rail station will be called Victoria Cross and will link up to another new station at Crows Nest.

Several shops on the Pacific Highway are also making way for the multibillion-dollar rail development.

The buildings are being stripped apart. Picture: Phillip Rogers

All 10 properties at the Crows Nest site are owned by Transport for NSW and affected shops are scheduled to be vacated over the next month.

Work to demolish the buildings will start after they have all been vacated — and demolition is also expected to finish early 2018.

TFNSW has warned that there may be some noise alongside temporary traffic and pedestrian changes as a result of the works.

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