Tunnel boring machine (TBM) Elizabeth has broken through into the Norwest Station box in Sydney marking another milestone in the construction of the North West Rail Link.
NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian attended a ceremony at the site, revealing that the project was currently running ahead of schedule and $300 million under budget.
All four TBMs are now in operation. Following this stop off, Elizabeth, which was the first to begin excavating the 15-kilometre twin-bored tunnel from Bella Vista to Epping, will continue her journey toward Showground Station.
Baird said: “This is an exciting day for Sydneysiders and another clear sign that construction of this critical rail link is powering ahead.”
He added: “It was only in September that we launched this first massive machine at Bella Vista – in that time it has tunnelled 2.1 kilometres to reach today’s historic breakthrough at Norwest.”
The North West Rail Link is set to begin revenue service in the first half of 2019.
