The Sydney Business Chamber says the contract signing for the Sydney Metro CBD and Harbour crossing marks an important milestone in the future of Sydney’s transport needs.
 
“Once completed, the two new metro rail tunnels under Sydney Harbour will give Sydney the important second harbour crossing for public transport that has been long discussed and will make an immense difference to not only the way people travel but in the way Sydney’s growth is managed,” said Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber. 
 
“Today’s announcement that John Holland CPB Contractors Ghella Joint Venture has signed the $2.8 billion contract to get the first of the five tunnel boring machines in the ground shows the acceleration of this critical project. 
 
“It is exciting we are moving to the next stage of building the Sydney Metro and well on our way to improving Sydney’s reputation in the provision of an efficient public transport network as part of its broader reputation as a competitive global city,” she said.
 
“Restriction on the hourly rate of heavy rail using the Harbour Bridge has been one of the limitations on the capacity of heavy rail to address issues such as congestion on the North Shore/Western Line.
 
“The Sydney Metro will move more than 40,000 people an hour in each direction and will take pressure off the Harbour Bridge and also the existing heavy rail network. 
 
“We look forward to the next phase of this vital project,” Mrs Forsythe said.