Mascot Train Station: Major upgrade announced as part of $600m package
Mascot Train Station is set to undergo a major facelift as part of a $600 million package to improve the Sydney train network. See what’s in store for the busy station.
Southern Courier
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Mascot Train Station is set to undergo a major facelift as part of a $600 million package to improve the Sydney train network – with a new entrance and exit point announced for the station.
There is currently only one entrance to enter or exit the underground train station at Mascot.
A second entrance point has been announced by Transport for NSW to be built on the western side of Bourke St, directly across the road from the existing entry.
The new entrance/exit will include escalators and a lift down to the underground concourse of Mascot Train Station. Additional ticket gates will also be installed.
“Subject to planning approval and community consultation, major construction will start later this year and take around 12 months to complete,” a Transport for NSW spokesman said.
Preliminary investigations are currently underway at the site.
It is hoped the project will not only reduce crowding among patrons, but will also ease traffic problems on Bourke St, which often comes to a stand still when people cross the zebra crossing.
“Outside of the Sydney CBD, Mascot is one of the busiest stations on the network and with demand set to continue we need to deliver improvements to ensure this important transport hub is equipped to handle increased customer volumes in the future,” the spokesman said.
“Road users will also notice reduced congestion on Bourke St with less people having to rely on the pedestrian crossing to access the station.”
He said the project was being funded under a $600 million package “to modernise and upgrade rail infrastructure on the rail network”. That package was announced last month and includes upgrades to the T4, T8 and south coast lines.
Transport for NSW confirmed the improvements were in response to a rise in demand, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, with customer trips to and from Mascot station increasing by 117 per cent between 2015 and 2019.
The public will be able to have their say on the project later this year when the Review of Environmental Factors is put on public display.
Heffron state Labor MP Ron Hoenig said the upgrade was much needed and a great result.
“This will make a huge difference for the thousands of Mascot residents who use Mascot station every day,” he said. “This project can’t come soon enough.”