NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has said the Coalition Government would get Sydney Metro West “well underway” within its next term, if re-elected at the state election in March.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Mr. Constance said the project – which is estimated to cost roughly $18 billion – would be a top priority for the Liberals, who he says are settling on around nine stations along the proposed route.
“We will absolutely expedite it,” Mr. Constance was quoted by Sydney Morning Herald this week.
“We can get cracking very quickly. We have got the established relationships and confidence of the contractors to be able to do this.”
The Sydney Metro West route would almost certainly have stations at or around Westmead (it’s likely western terminus), the Parramatta CBD, Olympic Park, Rozelle and the Sydney CBD. Constance on Monday suggested “three to four” additional stations would be included in the final route, and said most of the route would be tunnelled.
Mr. Constance and Premier Gladys Berejiklian last year said intermediate station options are also being considered for Camellia/Rydalmere, North Burwood/Five Dock, Kings Bay and Pyrmont, with further consultation to take place.
“There is a balance between the number of stops and the travel time from Parramatta to the Sydney CBD,” Mr. Constance said in March 2018. “That’s why we will work through the intermediate stop options with the community and industry before coming to a final decision.”
Sydney Metro West is the third major metro railway project for Sydney.
Sydney Metro Northwest, which should see first trains this year, runs from Rouse Hill to Chatswood via Castle Hill and Epping. Sydney Metro City & Southwest, currently under construction, will extend that line from Chatswood to the Sydney CBD, and on to Bankstown via Sydenham.
Related stories:
- JV awarded $1.376B Sydney Metro line works package
- NSW Govt moves ahead with fast rail network
- Sydney’s new Rail Operations Centre on track to open this year