George Street to open again this year after utilities investigation for light rail complete

GEORGE Street would be opened back up to commuters by Christmas 2016, under the new CBD light rail construction schedule released by the state government today.

George St is now expected to be reopened to commuters by Christmas this year. Picture: Ross Schultz

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GEORGE Street would be opened back up to commuters by Christmas, under the new CBD light rail construction schedule released by the state government today.

Three new construction zones for the controversial $2 billion project will start within the next three months, with two major construction areas on George Street, between Alfred and Grosvenor Streets, and between Bridge and Margaret Street, expected to be done by December 2016.

Construction on George Street between Alfred and Grosvenor Streets is expected to begin in March, construction between Bridge and Margaret Streets will begin in April and construction on George Street between Park and Bathurst will begin in April.

George St was closed to traffic last year. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the increased level of construction was possible after an investigation into the location of underground utilities was completed.

“We have now significantly progressed vital utility investigations along George Street, which has helped refine the detailed design for the project, including determining the exact track location and where the most complex work will need to be done,” Mr Constance said.

CBD Coordinator General Marg Prendergast said the plan was to open up George Street to commuters before Christmas 2016.

“We are working very hard to release areas of George St back to residents, workers and businesses before Christmas 2016 and we will seek to minimise impacts in any zones that are occupied in the lead-up to Christmas,” Ms Prendergast said.

“Of course George St between King and Park streets will be a fantastic pedestrian mall with major construction complete before Christmas — giving Sydney its first taste of what we are creating.”

The edge of the construction zone at the George St and Market St intersection. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Ms Prendergast said there was a minor change to the previously released schedule, meaning construction on George Street between Hunter and King Streets will start in July instead of April, and is expected to finish in July 2017.

“As we move through the next two-and-a-half years of construction, contractors will continue

to refine work schedules, with some zones expected to start major construction earlier and

some later than first earmarked, depending on construction requirements,” Ms Prendergast

said.