A major construction program is underway across Sydney’s future Southwest Metro, with an intensive five‑week schedule targeting hundreds of critical tasks needed to prepare the line for passenger services.

The concentrated work program creates a dedicated, safe window inside the rail corridor, allowing hundreds of workers to accelerate progress while on‑track testing temporarily pauses on the Bankstown extension. In total, more than 335 individual tasks are being completed as part of this effort.

A key focus of the work is improving accessibility and safety at stations. Crews are installing more than 1,100 fixed gap fillers across 10 upgraded platforms, complementing 170 mechanical gap fillers previously installed. Together, these features will provide step‑free, gap‑free boarding between trains and the curved platforms along the line.

Teams are also finalising a range of core rail infrastructure tasks, including overhead wiring maintenance, minor bridge works, guardrail upgrades, ballast replacement, and earthworks. At stations, finishing works such as tiling, painting, landscaping and concourse construction are progressing simultaneously to ensure the line is ready for the next phase.

Once this work program is complete, conversion of the southwest corridor will be more than 85 per cent finished, clearing the way for trial running to begin. Trial operations are a critical milestone ahead of full passenger services.

When the Southwest Metro opens, communities across the southwest and inner west will benefit from a major service upgrade, with metro trains running every four minutes in peak periods. This represents nearly double the previous capacity, increasing from eight trains per hour to 15, along with faster and more reliable journeys.

While construction activity is largely contained within the rail corridor, nearby residents may notice some temporary impacts. Measures have been put in place to reduce disruption, and community support remains available throughout the program.

After testing resumes, several weekend line closures are scheduled as work continues, including full closures across parts of May. Passengers are advised to plan ahead and check travel information before making their journeys.

Overall, the intensive construction program marks a crucial step toward delivering the Southwest Metro and transforming rail travel across a significant section of Sydney’s transport network.

Source: Sydney Metro