Parramatta Light Rail begins at Westmead
Works on the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail will begin at one of the nation’s largest health, education and research hubs.
Parramatta
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Work on the $2.4 billion first stage of Parramatta Light Rail will begin with the widening of Hawkesbury Rd at Westmead tomorrow.
The expansion will create room for a lane of traffic on each side of the new dual-track light rail.
Construction works on Hawkesbury Rd, between Darcy Rd and Jessie St, will include:
● Relocation of utilities and parking
● Removal of roundabouts, median strips and median kerbs
● New footpath, street lighting and landscaping
● Footpath improvements
● Trimming or removal of some trees, and planting of new trees
Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee said the light rail was an “important part of the Westmead story” and the $1 billion Westmead redevelopment.
“It will begin and end its journey here, delivering people to the front door of the precinct and also providing seamless connections to existing bus and suburban rail services,’’ he said.
“This is a transformative time for the Westmead Precinct, one of Australia’s largest
health, education, research and training hubs.
“We’re looking at more than 40,000 full-time staff and more than 30,000 students by
2036, and we are building the public infrastructure needed to support this growth.”
Stage one of the light rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia.
The start of works at Westmead follow doubts being cast on stage two of the project because of staff shortages and funding shortfalls.
This month, NSW Opposition leader Jodi McKay said ensuring the second stage proceeded was a key project driving her to win back Parramatta voters.