‘Dream come true’: Parramatta light rail inches towards completion

Transport Minister David Elliott said the multibillion-dollar Parramatta light rail line is a “dream come true”, but commuters will have to wait until next year to board a tram.

Mr Elliott on Saturday said the state government had learnt from its mistakes after tram services on the inner west line were suspended last November, when sizeable cracks were discovered in the 12-vehicle fleet, and commuters were forced onto replacement buses.

An artist’s impression of the light rail stop on Church Street in Parramatta.Credit: Transport for NSW

Mr Elliott said 99 per cent of the tracks for the first stage of the $2.4 billion light rail project had been installed, with the final 50-metre segment of the 12-kilometre line to be laid in the coming weeks.

“The community will start to see the fencing being removed as improvement works such as landscaping, road resurfacing, kerbing and footpath paving is complete,” he said.

Transport Minister David Elliott.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD, and is expected to commence passenger services next year.

“We’re expecting by next year you’ll see some trams on these tracks,” Mr Elliott said. “They’re currently being trialled overseas.”

Asked if the Parramatta Light Rail would have the same trams used on the beleaguered inner west line, Mr Elliott said: “We’ll be making sure we don’t have similar problems.”

“I can promise the people of Parramatta that Transport for NSW have learnt from their mistakes.”

Mr Elliott also reiterated his support for stage 2 of the light rail line from Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park.

He noted that construction costs were rising around the world, but said: “I’ll continue to advocate for everything that’s in our pipeline.”

Mr Elliott said he was excited to witness the “realisation of the government’s dream”.

“What we see before us is a dream come true for commuters,” he said. “It’s a dream come true for the people of Parramatta.”

Standing on a stretch of Church Street known as Eat Street because of its vibrant culinary scene, Mr Elliott said the area would return to an “exciting place” of entertainment and community as construction equipment was removed by Easter.

Work will also commence on the light rail stop on Church Street - the first of 16 light rail stops - which Mr Elliott said was “another exciting milestone”.

“I can’t think of a city anywhere in the world that is going to look as amazing as Church Street,” he said. “This is bringing together all those wonderful dining experiences we see in Europe, with a unique Australian opportunity for us to connect with the rest of the city.”

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.