The Parramatta light rail is a new plan to build a 12 kilometres light rail line in Sydney, New South Wales state in Australia. The project will be additional to the light rail and metro system in Sydney and the new line will be completely separated from the existing and under construction lines. The project is managed by the New South Wales Government’s transport authority, Transport for NSW.
This new light rail line across Greater Parramatta will ensure commuters are able to travel easily from one point to another.
The government in Australia will contribute with USD 1 billion to this project, and has already allocated the amount from the Restart New South Wales and Rebuilding New South Wales funds. The state government will also explore funding contributions from the federal and local governments. Construction of the lines is expected to commence in late 2018 and the prognosed completion date is 2023 but a possible total budget for the project was not yet announced.
In August 2016, Transport for NSW noted the project could be delivered in stages.
In February 2017, Australian Prime-Minister, Gladys Berejiklian, together with Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Andrew Constance, unveiled the preferred route for the first stage of Parramatta Light Rail.
“This is a project that will not just connect major parts of Greater Parramatta but will also revitalise communities and help create new ones,” Prime-Minister Berejiklian said.
“The Government has always said this (the USD 1 billion allocation) was an initial down payment for the line, with further funds to be secured from sources including value sharing”, Transport Minister Constance added.
Parramatta light rail is one of the New South Wales Government’s latest and significant public rail infrastructure projects being developped to cope with a demand for urban transport in Sydney.
The Western Sydney area, where the light rail will be constructed, is expected to add one more million people, over the next 20 years, to its existing population, thus, the authorities plan ahead the development of modern and realiable means of transport. Parramatta light rail will also enhance connectivity and accessibility to the region’s city center.
The authorities also announced that the ticketing system of the new light rail line will be integrated with the Opal existing ticketing system in Sydney’s public transport. The new light rail line will offer 16 stops connecting with other means of transport including bus, trains and ferries.
First stage of the light rail transit system will link Parramatta’s Center Business District and Parramatta Train Station to the Westmead Health precinct, Parramatta North Urban Transformation Program, the new Western Sydney Stadium, the relocated Powerhouse Museum, Telopea area Rosehill Racecourse and three Western Sydney University campuses.
Planning works for stage two of the light rail are expected to be completed by the end of 2017.
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