Central Station's new 330-tonne hockey stick roof

NSW Minister for Transport, Andrew Constance inspects Central Station's new roof. CREDIT:JANIE BARRETT

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Central Station’s new 330 tonne hockey stick roof is taking shape above the century old platforms in the heart of Sydney. The 80 metre long structure will cover the new concourse linking the suburban train lines to Sydney’s multibillion dollar Metro network by 2024.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said on Tuesday the open heart surgery taking place at Central would open up the station. Central has been like a rabbit warren but this will open it up, so come 2023 this is going to be a very different station. We always said we’d be doing open heart surgery at Central with the Metro but without doubt one of the great advancements we’ve seen with the uplift of the station is the new concourse. Tunnelling between Sydenham to Chatswood is complete with the track slab being laid ahead of rail being installed next year.

Excavation work on the underground Metro platforms has reached 18 metres below ground level, with preparations in place to break into the rail tunnel, which lies 30 metres below the surface. More than 21,000 square metres of existing roof canopy was destroyed to make way for the new roof, which is constructed from steel girders, aluminium cladding and glass skylights. The Central Walk is expected to be open to customers by 2022, according to the government.