The NSW Government has allocated $1 billion towards stage one of the Parramatta Light Rail, which is set to connect Westmead to Carlingford via Parramatta’s CBD and Camellia. Construction will start by the end of 2018, with services predicted to commence by 2023.
The development of the new Parramatta Light Rail forms a part of the NSW Government ’s ambitious $80 billion infrastructure pipeline, which includes the largest transport infrastructure program in Australia with $43 billion of investment over the next four years. The Parramatta Light Rail has been positioned to assist both locals and visitors to explore what the vast region offers.
The Parramatta light rail is set to connect to Westmead Hospital, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, with other destinations such as Western Sydney University, the City of Parramatta Council, Western Sydney Business Chamber and the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce.
This comes after news of an estimated ‘130,000 people will be living within walking distance of Parramatta Light Rail stops by 2026’.
Stage Two highlights of the development include connecting the Parramatta CBD to Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park. The new light rail network will also replace the existing heavy rail line between Carlingford and Camellia.
“Parramatta Light Rail will create close to 5000 jobs, connect communities along the route and transform the way that people explore all the attractions that Western Sydney has to offer, with a light rail service every 7.5 minutes in peak periods,” said Premier Gladys Berejiklian on the announcement.
Construction and operation contracts will be presented in the third quarter of 2018 and the final cost will be known once contracts are signed.
More information can be found at parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au.