Western Sydney airport rail link to open in seven years

Driverless trains will transport commuters from Western Sydney International Airport and the city’s southwest within seven years under a joint federal and state Coalition funding pledge.

• Before and after-school care for every child
• Daley’s vow: more nurses, better mental health care

Driverless trains will transport commuters from Western Sydney International Airport and the city’s southwest within seven years.

For the first time since the metro line was announced, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Gladys Berejiklian will today commit the total $7 billion funding needed to bring the project to life, while confirming it would be operational when the first plane takes off from the Nancy Bird Walton Airport in 2026.

Driverless trains are expected to be operational from Western Sydney International Airport in seven years. Picture: Supplied

Mr Morrison, who will unveil ­details of the metro service with the Premier at the NSW Liberal Party campaign launch in Penrith, said the project, together with the new airport, would drive economic growth for Western Sydney.

MORE NEWS:

BENJI MARSHALL: PLAYERS SHOULD ‘STOP GOING TO THE PUB’

FUNDING HOPE FOR CONCUSSIONS AND OTHER BRAIN INJURIES

“Working together, our governments are going to get this done,” he said.

“For years people have talked about backing the Western Sydney International Airport. For years ­people have promised more rail links in the western suburbs.

“We’re going to deliver both.”

The first stage of the North South Rail Link from St Marys to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis via the airport would involve spending $61 million on the Elizabeth Drive Overpass as part of essential “early ­enabling” infrastructure to ensure the airport is “rail ready”.

The proposed new railway station. Picture: Supplied

Ms Berejiklian said the Coalition had budgeted $2 billion over the next four years, with construction to begin in 2021.

The ­Coalition will also invest $3.6 billion to build the new M12 motorway and upgrade existing roads including the Northern Rd and Bringelly Rd as part of critical transport upgrades around the airport.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance said the rail line would connect with the existing T1 Western Line at St Marys, while forming the start of a ­future rail line across Sydney.

A business case for the project was expected to be delivered by the end of this year.