Sydney light rail gets Christmas spruce-up while lagging months behind schedule

The state government has splashed $200,000 to decorate the light rail site for Christmas to compensate for the bungled roll-out of the ­project.

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The state government has splashed $200,000 to decorate the light rail site for Christmas to compensate for the bungled roll-out of the ­project.

Eight gigantic wreaths have been erected along the route on the busy shopping thoroughfare. Each wreath costs about $25,000.

Transport NSW said the decorations were a bid to compensate­ those businesses affected by the construction “by enhancing the vibrancy of the street during the critical shopping period”.

Christmas decorations straddle George St. Picture: Dylan Robinson

“Nine out of 10 shoppers polled last year said festive decorations significantly improved their experience,” a spokeswoman said.

“We are building on that success with eight wreaths to be hung along George St, compared with six last year, made possible by a longer stretch of the street being free of construction works.”

But headaches continue to plague Christmas shoppers and businesses, with large construction barriers still in use during the holiday season as the light rail stops are construc­ted along the route.

Nocturnal work goes on for the giant Christmas decorations.

Work never ends on the light rail — or the Christmas lights, it seems.

“Barriers are being reduced along other parts of the light rail route, including the Circular­ Quay precinct and the George St end of Martin Place,” the Transport for NSW spokeswoman said.

An ALTRAC­ Light Rail spokeswoman said barriers had been removed from near Martin Place and reduced at Circular Quay, and will be taken down or reduced along George St, between Circular Quay and Town Hall.

But there are barriers­ around the 19 new stops across the city.

“Barriers will remain around the light rail stops and around localised sites while finishing works and the rail systems fit-out are under way and where required for safety purposes,” the ALTRAC spokeswoman said.

Two extra arches are being installed this year. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Light rail goes on at Haymarket. Picture: Jenny Evans

“In some areas traffic barriers will need to remain in place ... to safely manage traffic movements.”

She said the next phase will be “less intrusive” as it ­includes overhead wires and underground cables.

“While the systems fit-out at light rail stops is progressing and overhead wires and underground cables are being installed, there will be temporary localised safety barriers around worksites for short periods­ of time,” she said.