West Metro

Public transport infrastructure in Sydney
logo=
name=West Metro
transport_mode=Rapid transit
"proposed"
line_owner=Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation
operation_area=Parramatta, Auburn, Strathfield, Burwood, Canada Bay, Ashfield, Marrickville, Leichhardt, Sydney
line_length=? km
stations_number=13 or 14
interchange_names=Parramatta, Rosehill, Olympic Park, Central, Martin Place, Circular Quay, Redfern, Newtown, Lewisham, Ashfield, Burwood, Strathfield
date_1=2008
event_1=Line announced
date_2=2010
event_2=Detailed assessments to be proposed

West Metro is a proposed metro line which will run from the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia to the Sydney CBD. It will be undertaken by the NSW State Government as part of the larger SydneyLink initiative which also includes the proposed North West Metro. The new metro line will link Parramatta with the Sydney CBD within 25 minutes of travel time. [ [http://www.sydlink.com.au/webdata/resources/files/corridors_AC.swf MetroLink Corridors and Potential Travel Times] ]

Proposed Route

The West Metro will run from Parramatta to Circular Quay station. Two alignments have been proposed for the West Metro: the northern alignment shadowing Parramatta Road, travelling via Five Dock and Leichhardt to the city; and the southern alignment following the existing railway line between Strathfield and Redfern stations. Both routes would run from Parramatta via Rosehill, Newington and Olympic Park, and arriving at Circular Quay via Central, Pitt Street and Martin Place.Robins, B. " [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/two-routes-for-metro-plan/2008/05/14/1210444530184.html Two routes for metro plan] ". Sydney Morning Herald 15 May 2008] Albanese, A. [http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2008/May/budget-infra_14-2008_attachment.pdf Building Australia: Infrastructure investment for the future] Australian Federal Budget 2008-09 (2008-05-13)]

There are 13 metro stations proposed along the northern alignment:
*Circular Quay
*Martin Place
*Pitt Street
*Central
*University of Sydney
*Leichhardt
*Five Dock
*Canada Bay
*North Strathfield
*Olympic Park
*Newington
*Rosehill
*Parramatta

In contrast, there are 14 metro stations proposed along the southern alignment:
*Circular Quay
*Martin Place
*Pitt Street
*Central
*Redfern
*Newtown
*Lewisham
*Ashfield
*Burwood
*Strathfield
*Olympic Park
*Newington
*Rosehill
*Parramatta

Premier Morris Iemma stated that the northern alignment along Parramatta Road would cost around $6-8 billion. The route following the existing rail network would be $8-10 billion. The Government said it would be in a position to take its detailed assessments of these proposals to the Federal Government in 12 months, if it gained support for the projects, it would take another 18 months of planning before construction would begin, which would take 8 to 10 years to complete.

According to the NSW State Government press release announcing the SydneyLink project, the new Euro-style metro will offer a rail service of one train every four to five minutes (three minutes during peak hours). It will run on conventional standard gauge track, similar to the existing CityRail network, but will likely to be operated without drivers. It is proposed to run single deck rolling stock along the route of the proposed West Metro.cite web |title=Premier Iemma unveils Sydney’s first Euro-style metro rail project |url=http://www.nsw.gov.au/docs/080318_Transport_SydneyLink.pdf |publisher=Premier of New South Wales Department |format=PDF |date=2008-03-18] The new metro stations will provide connections with existing CityRail network at Circular Quay, Martin Place, Central, Olympic Park, Rosehill and Parramatta stations, as well as North Strathfield station if the northern alignment is chosen; or Redfern, Newtown, Lewisham, Ashfield, Burwood and Strathfield stations if the southern alignment is chosen.

Benefits

The project has been prompted by congestion on Sydney's westbound trains and roads [ [http://www.sydlink.com.au/site/page.cfm?u=74 SydneyLink: West Metro] ] , the growing importance of Parramatta as a business centre, higher petrol prices, public opposition to tolled roads and environmental concerns. An unreleased government document leaked to "The Daily Telegraph" suggests that such a train would eliminate the need of around 18 million car trips per year, reducing between 34,000 and 45,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being injected into the atmosphere.

History

In 2004, the NSW State Government proposed a $2 billion privately funded underground and above-ground train line Western FastRail that would link central Sydney with Western Sydney. The concept was reproposed in December 2006 by then federal Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd during a visit to Penrith should the Australian Labor Party win the 2007 Federal Election. The plan has received approving comments by the NSW State Government. [Hildebrand, J. " [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,20948422-5007132,00.html Rudd's road and rail cash] ". Daily Telegraph 19 December 2006] The line was also backed by a consortium lead by union leader Michael Easson, which includes Dutch bank ABN AMRO and Australian construction company Leighton Holdings. [Smith, A. " [http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Parramatta-to-city-in-11-minutes/2005/03/14/1110649131839.html Parramatta to city in 11 minutes: now that's a fast train] ". Sydney Morning Herald 15 March 2005]

The proposed Western FastRail consisted of two 26 km underground tunnels that will link the Sydney CBD with Parramatta, with high-speed trains transversing across the distance in eleven minutes at speeds of up to 160 km/h. The line would continue above-ground to Blacktown in six minutes, and onwards to Penrith in a further eleven minutes. However, with the introduction of the SydneyLink initiative, the role of linking Western Sydney with the Sydney CBD may have been replaced with the proposed West Metro instead. [Ralston, N. " [http://news.smh.com.au/national/fast-train-in-doubt-for-sydneys-west-20080811-3thv.html Fast train in doubt for Sydney's west] ". Sydney Morning Herald 11 August 2008]

Possible future extension

The SydneyLink discussion paper indicates a possible future extension of the West Metro through a second harbour crossing to Chatswood. [ [http://www.sydlink.com.au/site/page.cfm?u=50 SydneyLink project: Where could we use a metro rail line?] ] However, as the current West Metro is still under planning, further investigation and studies are required to be undertaken for this extension.

ee also

*SydneyLink
*North West Metro
*South East Metro
*Possible future extension via a second harbour crossing to Chatswood

References

External links

* [http://www.sydlink.com.au SydneyLink]
* [http://www.tidc.nsw.gov.au Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation (TIDC)]