First tracks laid for new Western Sydney Airport metro  

The first portion of track was installed at Luddenham, just north of a new rail bridge that will take metro services over the future M12 motorway.  

Track laying is currently progressing north towards St Marys. 

A team of up to 60 workers construct anywhere from 70 to 100 metres of track per day.  

More than 6,400 tonnes of Australian-made rail steel will be laid along the 23-kilometre line between St Marys and Bradfield between now and mid-2026. 

In total, 106.8 kilometres of rail line and 76,285 sleepers will be installed, including  at the stabling and maintenance facility at Orchard Hills. 

Each 20-metre piece of rail steel is manufactured in South Australia. It is then shipped to Newcastle, before being trucked to a newly constructed rail laydown yard in Luddenham South.  

At the yard, the steel is welded together into 120-metre-long “rail strings” and then transported to a location along the alignment for installation. A rail threader machine lifts the rail strings on top of the sleepers and the two are fastened together.  

The track is then lifted into its final position using an advanced adjustment system. A final concrete pour secures the track in place.  

The track alignment program also consists of the delivery of associated assets and services, including mechanical, electrical, communications and plumbing works, which will be completed simultaneously to the track. 

Work to build the six stations for the new line is in full swing, while plans detailing the design for each station are now finalised.