A new landmark is taking shape above Central Station, with a feature roof going up as part of the Sydney Metro construction works.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the roof over the Northern Concourse is nearly two thirds complete, after workers installed the steel girders, affectionately known as the “hockey sticks”, and cassette roof sections.
“The 80-metre-long and 40-metre-wide roof extends from the northern end of Platform 8 to Platform 16, and will sit more than 16 metres above ground to enable natural light to filter into the station,” Mr Constance said.
“More than 500 workers are currently delivering the Sydney Metro works at Central, with more than 5,000 working across the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project.”
The roof structure was manufactured and preassembled in the Hunter Valley town of Kurri Kurri, before large sections were transported to Sydney in the middle of the night.
Principal Contractor Laing O’Rourke has worked with architects Woods Bagot and John McAslan + Partners on the bespoke design for the 330 tonne roof.
As part of the upgrade to Australia’s busiest railway station, two new underground Metro platforms are being built as well as the landmark Central Walk – a new underground pedestrian concourse to help customers connect between light rail, suburban and inter-city trains, the Metro and buses.
Excavation work to build the underground Metro platforms “box” has reached 18 metres below ground level and preparations are in place to break into the tunnel in the coming months, as workers head for the final depth of 30 metres.
More information about the roof:
- 58 cassette sections being installed, each weighing around five tonnes.
- Largest cassettes are 16m long and 4.5m wide.
- Eight girders being installed, each weighing 30 tonnes.
- Longest girders are near the Station Master’s Office, measuring 21 metres long.
- 21,000 square metres of existing canopy was demolished for the new roof.
- Roof has perforated aluminium cladding panels, 21 distinctive diamond shape skylights, lighting and speakers.
Sections of the roof will be progressively installed over the Northern Concourse until the end of the year, with the Central Walk expected to be open to customers in 2022.
Sydney Metro construction will continue with metro rail services through the city expected to start in 2024.