More works underway on Parramatta Light Rail project in NSW

The Diona Ward Joint Venture - comprised of Diona Pty Ltd and Ward Civil & Environmental Engineering Pty Ltd - has been awarded the Enabling Works contract that will deliver upgrades to George Street in the Parramatta CBD and O’Connell Street as part of the Parramatta Light Rail project.

The scope of the enabling works package will include relocation of underground utilities, intersection upgrades, installation of new traffic lights, landscaping as well as changes to street lanes and parking. These works will help increase road capacity that will ensure traffic can move more efficiently in and around the Parramatta area.

According to Parramatta Light Rail program director Tim Poole, the light rail is expected to cater to almost 30,000 people who will travel to destinations across Western Sydney each day by 2026.

“These enabling works are vital to keep the city moving and to minimise disruption for the people of Parramatta. These changes, while not directly along the Parramatta Light Rail route, will provide additional capacity and connections for everyone in the CBD before, during and after the light rail construction,” Mr Poole said.

This project will also be transforming George Street in the Parramatta CBD as well as O’Connell Street. George Street is set to become a two-way road to re-distribute traffic across the local road network, which will help move traffic more efficiently through the heart of Parramatta. On the other hand, O’Connell Street is going to be widened to four lanes from Barney Street to Albert Street in order to accommodate additional traffic as an alternative route to Church Street.

The enabling works package is the second of four major contracts announced that will facilitate the construction as well as the operation of the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1. Works are expected to commence in late 2018.

Preferred alignment for Stage 1 (source: Transport for NSW)

Earlier this year, planning approval was granted, taking Stage 1 of the light rail project one step closer to beginning major construction works.

Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail will run from Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia. The first stage will also be connecting major destinations such as the Westmead precinct, the new Western Sydney Stadium, the new Powerhouse Museum as well as three Western Sydney University campuses. This stage will link brand new communities at Telopea and Camellia as well.

Construction on Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail project is expected to be completed in 2023.

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Source: Transport for NSW (1, 2), Parramatta Light Rail