Top global award for Sydney Metro Northwest project

The Mott MacDonald, SMEC and KBR design joint venture (JV) team’s contribution to the AU$7.3 billion Sydney Metro Northwest project has earned the 2020 ENR Global Best Rail Project award.

The Mott MacDonald, SMEC and KBR design joint venture (JV) team’s contribution to the AU$7.3 billion Sydney Metro Northwest project has earned the 2020 ENR Global Best Rail Project award.

The project, delivered by the New South Wales state government, is the first stage of Sydney Metro, Australia’s biggest public transport project.

The JV delivered the detailed design for eight new metro stations which included three underground stations, three new open-cut suburban stations and two new elevated stations. It was also responsible for train stabling maintenance facilities, 36 kilometres of new metro track, overhead power systems and precinct civil works and car parks.

Building information modelling (BIM) was successfully applied to this major transport infrastructure project and contributed to minimising cost and schedule risk, and enhancing constructability. The innovative design developed by the JV reduced the use of raw construction material and labour on-site in favour of prefabricated elements, which in turn, increased the efficiency and sustainability of the project both in construction and in future maintenance operations.

James Phillis, CEO SMEC Australia, said: “The Sydney Metro Northwest is not only the first metro train system in Australia, it is also Australia’s first fully automated passenger service. Over 70 years on from our founding in the iconic Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, SMEC is proud to continue our legacy in another innovative and ground-breaking infrastructure project that is making a difference to Australians.”

Read more in our media release.