Global law firm Ashurst has advised Sydney Metro on the Eastern Tunnelling Contract, a $1.63 billion contract with John Holland Pty Ltd, CPB Contractors Pty Ltd (CPB) & Ghella Pty Ltd joint venture (JCG JV) to design and construct 3.5km of metro tunnels between The Bays and Sydney CBD. The contract is the third and final major tunnelling package awarded for the Sydney Metro West Project, part of Australia's biggest public transport project. Ashurst previously advised Sydney Metro on the Central Tunnelling Contract, awarded in July 2021 and the Western Tunnelling Contract, awarded in February 2022.
The contract includes the excavation and civil works for two new cavern stations at Pyrmont and Hunter Street in the Sydney CBD, a turnback cavern, and a tunnel boring machine (TBM) launch site at The Bays with two TBMs launched towards Hunter Street.
Preparations for tunnelling on this final section of the line will start in 2023.
The Ashurst team was led by Alex Guy, who was assisted by: counsel Ben Kipic and Melinda Harris, senior associates Marya Atmeh, Rhiannon Evans, and associates Sandy Jassal and Ben Shilson-Josling (Transport and infrastructure), and partner Rebecca Dixon and associate Rhea Nair (Planning, Access and Environment).
