Hunter Street East equipment removal will begin on Monday 5 January 2026 as part of Sydney Metro West works in the Sydney CBD, as set out in a Sydney Metro West notification (PDF).

Hunter Street East equipment removal: traffic changes
Hunter Street East equipment removal: traffic changes

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Oversized tunnelling equipment and machinery will be dismantled underground at Hunter Street station and removed in transportable components via the Hunter Street East shaft.

Sydney Metro West is being delivered by the NSW Government as a new underground metro railway that will double rail capacity between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, transforming Sydney for generations to come, as described in the Sydney Metro West project overview. Stations have been confirmed at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays, Pyrmont and Hunter Street in the Sydney CBD.

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John Holland CPB Contractors Ghella Joint Venture (JCG) has been awarded the contract to deliver 3.5 kilometres of twin metro rail tunnels between The Bays and Hunter Street CBD and excavate the Pyrmont and Hunter Street metro stations. For more context on activity around the Hunter Street site, Railway Supply has previously covered Sydney Metro West works there.

Oversized tunnelling equipment removal at Hunter Street station

From Monday 5 January 2026, the oversized tunnelling equipment removal work will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is expected to take approximately three months. Out of hours work is required due to the size of the components being removed, to minimise impacts on traffic and support the safety of pedestrians, motorists and workers.

The work includes delivering and removing oversized tunnelling equipment, plant and materials, using a tower crane, support cranes and other equipment, and putting traffic and pedestrian controls in place ahead of temporary traffic and footpath changes.

Hunter Street traffic and pedestrian changes

A work zone will be established on Hunter Street in the traffic lane adjacent to the Hunter Street East site to facilitate this work. Temporary traffic changes will be in place on Hunter Street between Bligh Street and O’Connell Street, as required, from Monday to Sunday between 6pm and 5am and on weekends between 5am and 6pm. During these periods, pedestrians will be intermittently detoured around the work zone.

Traffic changes will generally include a temporary westbound traffic detour via Castlereagh Street. A full closure of Hunter Street between Bligh Street and O’Connell Street will also be required during the above hours while two of the largest equipment components are removed. When that happens, eastbound traffic will be detoured via Pitt Street onto King Street and Elizabeth Street. An update will be provided ahead of this work happening, and traffic changes on O’Connell Street may also be required during this work.

What to expect and equipment in use?

What will this mean for you? Nearby residents and road users may see small crews occupying parts of the road or footpath, traffic management and heavy vehicle movements, and the presence of police and escort vehicles to help facilitate oversized vehicle movements. There may also be periods of increased noise during tunnelling equipment removal, deliveries and operation of equipment, along with traffic changes, temporary parking removal and pedestrian detours around the work area.

Equipment used for oversized tunnelling equipment removal may include a tower crane, support cranes, telehandlers, elevated work platforms, hand tools, light vehicles, heavy vehicles (including trucks with trailers and self-propelled modular transporters), traffic control equipment and lighting.

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