Kurri-Kurri based manufacturer Alfabs has built a new roof for Sydney’s Central Station
It was a mammoth task to get it all the way from the Hunter Valley to Sydney. Hunter manufacturer Alfabs built a 330 tonne roof for Sydney’s Central Station. SEE THE CONSTRUCTION PICTURES!
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From the Hunter Valley all the way to Sydney, a local manufacturer has been behind a massive new landmark at a very iconic city venue.
Kurri-Kurri company Alfabs built the new 330 tonne roof over Central Station’s northern concourse, part of the city-shaping Sydney Metro City and Southwest project.
80 metres long and 40 metres wide, it extends from the northern end of Platform 8 to Platform 16 and will sit more than 16 metres above ground to ensure natural light can filter the station.
“The fabrication has taken around 7,500 man hours and the assembly, disassembly and reassembly has taken 8,200 man hours,” Alfabs CEO Matthew Torrance said.
“Alfabs regularly undertakes projects of this size, however the prestige in the location of the final installation is certainly a highlight for the Alfabs Group.”
A 250 tonne crawler crane was used on site at Kurri Kurri to piece the roof together, before it was dismantled into sections and transported to Sydney in the middle of the night.
With military precision, workers at Central Station have been installing the roof’s steel girders, affectionately known as the “hockey sticks”, and cassette roof sections.
“The job in dismantling and transporting to Central was a large one however our construction team and our logistic team worked seamlessly in achieving this with no fuss, incidents or issues,” Mr Torrance said.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said it has supported local jobs in the Hunter as well as showcasing the region’s construction skills.
“About 30 local workers have been involved in the build, which began in March this year and continued throughout the Covid-19 crisis,” he said.
“When you’re getting off the train at Central, take a look up and be proud such a striking new feature at our state’s most iconic station was proudly made in the Hunter.”
Mr Torrance added: “Alfabs see this as a great project for the local economy and reinforces the fact that we are a competitive and real option for fabrication and installation works in the Sydney market while being remote due to our proximity to the Hunter Expressway and the M1.”
The Alfabs team also contributed to the construction of the Sydney Yard Access Bridge, which is being used to truck construction materials for the new metro over the railway lines.
Principal Contractor Laing O’Rourke has worked with architects Woods Bagot and John McAslan + Partners on the bespoke design of the new roof.