Sydney Metro steps up commuter connections with the opening of Central Walk
The first stage of the new Central Walk pedestrian concourse at Central Station will open on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of the NSW Government’s city-shaping Sydney Metro project.
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott visited the iconic station to officially open sections of the 80-metre-long underground concourse, which will be accessible to commuters from Sunday, including escalator access to suburban platforms 16 to 23 for the first time in the station’s 116-year history.
“Sydney Metro is delivering the biggest upgrade at Central Station in decades, improving the commutes of hundreds of thousands of people who travel through this station each day,” Mr Elliott said.
“This is a great example of how we are delivering the benefits of Sydney Metro to our customers as soon as they are ready – well before the 2024 opening date.
“Central Walk will be the arterial connection Central Station has never had – one fast and clear path linking commuters to platforms, trains, buses, light rail, and in 2024, metro services.”
Central Walk will provide a link between the lower northern concourse and the eastern suburbs railway concourse, shaving minutes off travel times for commuters moving between Eddy Avenue and Chalmers Street.
Sydney Metro Chief Executive Peter Regan said the construction of Central Walk is happening under the feet of commuters, below eight suburban platforms and trains that are still in operation.
“Central Walk is a construction and engineering achievement in every sense, a striking new thoroughfare as grand as the station itself,” Mr Regan said.
“This is a taste of what’s to come when the next stage of Sydney Metro opens and transforms travel in the heart of this great city.”
The Central Walk pedestrian concourse forms part of the $955 million contract awarded to Laing O’Rourke in 2018.
Remaining work on the next stage of Central Walk includes finalising installation of four lifts and the remaining eight of 15 new escalators, along with installing cladding, services and tiles.
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