Parramatta Light Rail construction for Rosehill’s James Ruse bridge begins

Construction on one of the state’s longest steel arch crossings, only second to Sydney Harbour Bridge, will be an ‘amazing sight’ for people commuting in western Sydney.

The James Ruse Drive Bridge — the largest of six bridges for the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail — has started taking shape and will be the second longest steel arch span after the Sydney Harbour Bridge once constructed.

The 1425-tonne steel and concrete structure will span six lanes and accommodate the light rail as well as pedestrians and cyclists on a pedestrian path once the 16-stop light rail opens in 2023.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said construction of the 15m high steel arch — each weighing 60 tonnes — was under construction next to James Ruse Drive.

“The giant bronze arches will be an amazing sight for locals and anyone travelling through the area,’’ he said.

James Ruse Drive Bridge’s arches each weigh 60 tonnes.

Glendenning-based S&L Steel fabricated the steelwork before it was transported to Rosehill for assembly.

Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee said the project was committed to using Australian resources wherever possible and supporting local jobs, including 50 positions at a steel-fabricating workshop at Rooty Hill.

The bridge will be transported to James Ruse Drive.

“The bridge will be a great asset for the local community as it will not only support the new light rail, but it will make it much safer for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the very busy James Ruse Drive,’’ he said.

Over the coming weeks, the temporary support frames will be removed, the arch will be fitted out with precast concrete, concrete deck, precast concrete barriers, and temporary steel railing and protection screens, before it is lifted into place.

The structure will be moved into position during a weekend closure of James Ruse Drive in the next few months.

Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger said the bridge would transform Parramatta.

“The new transport bridge across James Ruse Drive is a symbol of how light rail is redefining Parramatta as the commercial heart of this part of Sydney by linking communities such as Carlingford, Dundas, Rydalmere and Camellia to the growing job market in the Parramatta CBD through a high frequency connection,’’ he said.

“The new bridge also lays the ground work for Parramatta Light Rail to be extended to Sydney Olympic Park via Melrose Park and Wentworth Point as originally promised by the NSW Government.

“The bridge is the critical link that will eventually bring trams from Carlingford (stage one) and Sydney Olympic Park (stage two) into the Parramatta CBD.

The structure will span six lanes and is being assembled at Rosehill.

The 12km Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is expected to start services in 2023.

While the first stage of the light rail project is on track, the state government has been under pressure to commit to stage two, which would link Parramatta to Olympic Park.

Business Western Sydney and Sydney Olympic Park Business Association said the June Budget was the right time to deliver the project.

“The communities in the booming suburbs of Wentworth Point, Melrose Park and Sydney Olympic Park will be eagerly watching the upcoming NSW Budget to see if the NSW Government will deliver on its commitment to build stage two,’’ Mr Borger said.

“The government needs to commit to getting on with planning approval for Parramatta Light Rail stage two so we can get the project shovel ready as soon as possible.”

The government said it was still reviewing the business case and its focus was completing stage one.

As well as the James Ruse Drive Bridge, there will be construction and modifications to other bridges:

● A former rail bridge at Kissing Point Rd in Dundas will be converted for pedestrians and cyclists alongside a new three-span bridge for light rail;

● The James Hardie underpass at Camellia will be replaced with a bridge for trams and pedestrians.

● Dundas’ Vineyard Creek Bridge and Leamington Rd underpass at Dundas will be replaced with bridges for light rail as well as pedestrians and cyclists.

● A two-span bridge for light rail and pedestrians across Parramatta River will be built alongside the existing Bridge Rd bridge at Westmead in the Cumberland Council area.

● Project modifications include encasing support structures for the Victoria Rd bridge and Pennant Hills Rd bridge, Parramatta, in concrete for protection and modifying the Adderton Rd bridge in Telopea to support pedestrians.

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