When Sydney light rail barriers will be removed

SYDNEY’S biggest eyesore has an official removal date with ALTRAC’s chief executive announcing times of when and where people will no longer see the ugly concrete barriers and footprints across the city.

SYDNEY’S biggest eyesore has an official removal date with ALTRAC chief executive announcing times of when and where people will no longer see the ugly concrete barriers and footprints across the city.

Glenn Bentley said now that utility work and track installation was substantially complete residents and businesses would notice changes in their areas.

“The construction team has laid track in 29 of the 31 zones and with around four kilometres left to be laid across the route, track installation will be complete in September,” he said.

“We will have civil construction substantially completed by the end of 2018.

“The community and businesses in the city and Surry Hills will notice barriers removed or barrier footprints and zones reduced by November, with zones in Moore Park and Randwick by December and Randwick and Kensington/Kingsford in early 2019.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian inspects the progress on the Sydney Light Rail Project at Randwick with Project Director Andrew Summers and ALTRAC CEO Glenn Bentley last year. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

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“Where possible, zones may be opened sooner than these dates. There will still be localised barriers around stops and while paving and cabling work is undertaken.”

In February, The Daily Telegraph revealed the original completion date for the network was April this year.

The light rail construction had previously caused traffic chaos in the CBD and inner city after 14 kilometres of the 24.7-kilometre network has been laid, with some construction zones running more than a year past their original deadline.

Security measures in the city during the Anzac Day march in Sydney. photo Jeremy Piper

At the time, Transport for NSW admitted construction challenges had caused delays but insisted the project was on track for delivery in 2019.

Bollard removals

November 2018

Surry Hills and Moore Park (zones 13-21)CBD North (zones 1-7)

January 2019

CBD South (zones 8-12)

February 2019

Randwick (zones 20-26) Kingsford / Kensington (zones 28-31)

Today, ALTRAC said in a statement that the systems, signalling, cabling and stop fit out, will start in each zone as the substantial civil construction work is completed. This work involves smaller zones, less noise and reduced barrier zones for shorter periods of time.

Surry Hills has been littered with bollards along the light rail route. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Bentley said construction of the light rail had been delayed by complex under-road utilities and other challenges, but these were being managed as quickly as possible.

“We are making good progress with seven light rail stops already under construction in the city’s north, Randwick and Moore Park. Light rail testing is underway and will continue as each of the 60 light rail vehicles arrive,” he said.

“We will continue to keep businesses and residents informed about progress and changes in their area.”

BARRIER REMOVAL COMPLETION DATES:

CBD North (zones 1-7): November 2018

CBD South (zones 8-12): January 2019

Surry Hills and Moore Park (zones 13-21): November 2018

Randwick (zones 20-26): February 2019

Kingsford / Kensington (zones 28-31): February 2019

Light Rail Project on George St Sydney.