Construction on Sydney Metro West is to start in 2020 after the NSW Government committed $6.4 billion to build the third stage of its Metro rail program, connecting the CBD with Parramatta via a new underground route.
Sydney Metro West received the funding commitment over the four-year forward estimates of the state budget, revealed on Tuesday.
The project represents the third stage of automated metro rail to be built in Sydney, following Sydney Metro Northwest, which opened last month, and Sydney Metro City and Southwest, currently under construction.
“We always said we would build Metro West as fast as possible. This commitment in the state budget shows that when we commit to doing something, we mean business,” transport minister Andrew Constance said.
“We have worked our guts out to get the budget in a strong position and now we are able to deliver crucial rail projects like Metro West quicker than anyone thought was possible.”
The construction timeframe for Sydney Metro West was a major talking point prior to the state election in March, with each side was eager to promise the project sooner than their opposition.
But Constance said on June 18 the Liberals & Nationals Government was the only one capable of following through on that promise.
“Only this Government can be trusted to make [Sydney Metro West] a reality,” he said.
“Labor has promised a Metro to Western Sydney three times since the mid-90s and cancelled it every time. In 2010 they were so incompetent they handed $81 million back to the Federal Government after cancelling it once again. We already have the runs on the board: we’ve opened Northwest Metro with phenomenal results and construction is well underway on Sydney Metro City & Southwest.”
The Sydney Metro West funding, which was listed at $3 billion in last year’s state budget, was part of an overall $93 billion in overall infrastructure funding included in the forward estimates.
For rail, that includes $812 million towards the New Intercity Fleet, and $38 million to progress the Regional Rail Fleet, including money to build the rail maintenance facility in Dubbo, and $3.2 billion over four years to continue the More Trains, More Services program. There’s also over $300 million for access improvements at 68 more train station, bringing total spend on the Transport Access Program to $2 billion.
$561 million is in the budget for Parramatta Light Rail, which Constance said was expected to open in 2023.
A surplus of $802 million is projected for 2018/19, with surpluses averaging $1.7 billion over the four years to 2022/23.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the budget delivered on the Government’s promise deliver strong financial outcomes across the state.
“Only through a strong budget are we able to provide cost of living relief to households, invest unprecedented amounts in infrastructure and services, and support the most vulnerable in our community,” the premier said.