<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> A $1 million feasibility study into the proposed light rail network around Parramatta has revealed that the network would cost around $1.5bn to produce. </span> <p>Parramatta, a densely-populated suburb and business centre in Sydney’s west, is the proposed site for the Regional Light Rail Network.</p><p>The project includes construction of 30km of rails and the installation of 21 light rail vehicles.</p><p>Parramatta’s lord mayor, John Chedid, announced the $1.5bn figure last week.</p><p>“Helping to address the two main challenges facing Western Sydney: the lack of jobs and exponential population growth, we expect that by 2031, the network will support 180,000 jobs and 50,000 homes,” Chedid said.</p><p>“The [feasibility] study shows that a Regional Light Rail Network will be fast and frequent, with services coming every 10 minutes and every five minutes for stops within the Parramatta CBD.”</p><p>The study identified potential stops and routes along the light rail network, which consists of two lines – one to Macquarie Park and one to Castle Hill.</p><p>From Parramatta, the Castle Hill Line follows Windsor Road, through what Parramatta City Council calls the “Castle Hill Trading Zone,” to Castle Hill, where there would be an interchange with the North West Rail Link.</p><p>The Macquarie Park Line would connect Westmead, Cumberland Hospital, through Parramatta CBD, the University of Western Sydney, Dundas, Eastwood and Macquarie Park.</p><p>“Our study recommends that the Macquarie Line be constructed first as it is expected to have strong patronage throughout the day and evening, from students and health workers at Westmead and the University of Western Sydney,” Chedid said.</p>
