Projects in Focus - Revamping a Sydney Icon, Central Station

CGC Projects in Focus - Revamping a Sydney Icon, Central Station

The latest instalment of our blog series, CGC Projects in Focus, will provide insight and commentary on the upgrade to one of Sydney’s largest and busiest transport hubs, the iconic Central station.

More than 270,000 commuters use it daily and this number is set to rise to 450,000 in the next two decades. To cope with future demand, a revamp of the station is underway. The upgrade will preserve the station’s status as a vital transport interchange, while simultaneously making it the downtown gateway to the new Sydney Metro network.

Contractors Laing O’Rourke were awarded the $955 million contract to transform Sydney’s busiest station, and are due to complete the project by 2022, which comprises two key areas of works.​ 

Below the surface

The engineers are digging deep to reopen the station. The scale of the excavations has been compared to performing open heart surgery. And indeed, the new Central will have a whole new lease of life. It’ll be modern, spacious and completed to an international standard.

The new Sydney Metro platforms will be built directly beneath Central station’s current platforms. They’ll feature platform screen doors to create a barrier between commuters and the tracks, enhancing passenger safety and permitting the new metro trains to enter and exit at higher speeds.

Sydney Metro is supporting approximately 17,000 jobs, and helping NSW achieve record low unemployment rates.

Central Walk

To help people get around Central station, a 19-metre wide underground pedestrian walkway will be constructed. This will be known as Central Walk. It will give commuters easier access to suburban trains, light rail and buses. Changing trains and modes of transport will be much simpler as a result.

The design for Central Walk is the work of, Woods Bagot, who are behind the design of another Sydney commuter walkway, Wynyard Walk.

Receiving Gold in Urban Design at the 2017 Gov Design Awards, Wynyard Walk has been a highly successful public design project. It has reduced a 15-minute walk to a mere 6-minute one. The architects will apply the lessons learned from the Wynyard project to the Central Walk project.

The opportunity

Infrastructure projects, like the upgrades of Central Station, are professionally rewarding because they tangibly contribute to the overall functionality of the city. And Sydney has plenty more construction and infrastructure projects in the pipeline.

At CGC, our highly-motivated team of experienced consultants help clients and candidates connect with major projects by bringing in the best talent and opportunities.

If you’re looking for your next career opportunity, you can register with CGC today. Simply complete our online registration, which takes just 30 seconds. Or if you’re looking for something in particular, contact us or search our jobs.

If you’re looking for the right team member, get in touch with CGC and one of our experienced consultants will be happy to help.

To be involved in projects or to attract candidates that are changing and improving Australia’s infrastructure, contact us today to find out more. There are lots of stimulating career challenges out there!