Works have begun at Westmead to prepare for the Parramatta Light Rail project, with the widening of Hawkesbury Road to clear a path for the future transport link.
The widening of Hawkesbury Road, between Darcy Road and Jessie Street, will create room for one lane of traffic on each side of the new dual-track light rail, which is expected to open in 2023.
Work will include the relocation of utilities and parking, the removal of roundabouts and median strips, new street lighting and landscaping, a new footpath and the trimming or removal of some trees, and the planting of others.
Member for Parramatta Dr Geoff Lee said on August 27 the light rail project is being tied in with a $1 billion Westmead Redevelopment project.
“This is a transformative time for the Westmead Precinct, one of Australia’s largest health, education, research and training hubs,” Lee said.
“We’re looking at more than 40,000 full-time staff and more than 30,000 students by 2036, and we are building the public infrastructure needed to support this growth.”
Stage one of the Parramatta Light Rail project will link Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, at an approximate cost of $2.4 billion.