SJ Group is proud to announce Sydney Metro – Crows Nest Station has been awarded the 2025 Engineering News-Record (ENR) Global Best Rail Project, an international accolade recognising excellence across major infrastructure works.
The annual awards are judged by an independent panel of international industry leaders and acknowledge projects that demonstrate outstanding achievement in design, construction, safety and community impact. This award builds on SMEC’s, an SJ company, strong record in metro infrastructure, following the organisation’s previous ENR Global Best Rail Project and Global Best Project of the Year recognition in 2018 for Sydney Metro Northwest Skytrain Bridge.
Crows Nest Station forms part of the Sydney Metro City and Southwest line and supports increased capacity and accessibility within one of Sydney’s key urban precincts. The station was delivered for Sydney Metro through the Crows Nest Design Consortium, led by SMEC, with contributions from Robert Bird Group — another SJ company — with Woods Bagot, NDY, Surface Design, Büro North and Oculus, and constructed by A W Edwards.
The station was recognised for its clear design vision and the long-span structural approach that created open concourse and platform spaces within a constrained urban footprint. Architectural integration, customer-focused planning and coordinated delivery further contributed to its selection as the leading rail project globally.
The project incorporated sustainable materials, including high-percentage recycled content in concrete, and earned both a 6 Star Green Star Design rating and a 6 Star Green Star As-Built rating, the highest possible under the Green Building Council of Australia framework.
Sean Chiao, Group CEO, SJ Group said, “This award shows what we can achieve when the full capability of the SJ Group comes together – global expertise, local insight, and a shared commitment to improving everyday journeys. Crows Nest Station is a demonstration of our real impact, made together. The judgment, creativity and discipline of our teams have driven every milestone, and this recognition belongs to them.”
Ray Murphy, Regional Director, Rail and Metro, ANZ, SMEC said, “This award reflects the strength of the design thinking behind Crows Nest Station. The team approached every challenge with a focus on structural clarity, constructability and sustainability. The project demonstrates how an integrated design and delivery approach can create a station that is not only technically excellent but welcoming for the community.”
Robert Bird Group delivered structural design, construction engineering, and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) services on the project. Bonar Bucalina, NSW+ACT Regional Director and ANZ Rail Lead, Robert Bird Group explained, “Crows Nest Station presented unique engineering challenges within a dense urban environment. Our team focused on innovative structural solutions that balanced constructability with architectural vision,
creating open, welcoming spaces for commuters while supporting future development above the station.”
