The New South Wales government has awarded a US$1.29 billion (A$1.8 billion) contract for tunnelling works on the Sydney Metro to a joint venture between Cimic Group subsidiary CPB Contractors and Italy's Ghella. CPB Contractors will earn US$1 billion (A$1.35 billion) under the contract, which is sponsored by the Australian and New South Wales governments.

The joint venture will design and construct 9.8 kilometres of twin tunnels and excavations for stations at St Marys, Orchard Hills, Airport Terminal Station, Aerotropolis Station, and Bringelly and Claremont Meadows, as well as service facilities.

The new metro will run from St Marys to the Western Sydney International Airport and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, which are both still under construction.

Juan Santamaria, Cimic’s chief executive, said: “This is a strategic transport investment that will generate long lasting benefits for the people of Western Sydney and provide a significant boost to jobs during construction.

“CPB Contractors is already involved in the construction of the Western Sydney International Airport and the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project and will apply this experience to safely deliver this link.”

Jason Spears, CPB Contractors’ managing director, said: “We are pleased to have been selected by the NSW Government to deliver another vital project for Western Sydney.

“Our tunnelling teams are very experienced in delivering transport infrastructure in Sydney and will apply CPB Contractors’ expertise, gained delivering major projects across Australia, to maximise employment and training opportunities for local workers.”

The project's preliminary tunnelling work is set to begin in early 2023.