Two-way track installation has been completed for Stage One of Sydney’s Parramatta Light Rail (PLR) project.
Installation of the 12-kilometre stretch of track began in November 2020 at Westmead, with the final section completed last month at Tramway Avenue in Parramatta.
The construction and installation process has used an estimated 1250 tonnes of reinforcing steel, 3300 aluminothermic welds, and 18,000 cubic metres of concrete.
The project engaged about 600 workers each day and 100 workers each night to build the track network, which comprises a combination of concrete track, ballasted track, and green track, which features grass or ground cover between and beside the rails.
With track installation now complete, Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street between Darcy Road and Park Avenue have been reopened to traffic in both directions.
Ongoing finishing works including road improvements, kerbing, footpath paving, tree planting and landscaping will continue as preliminary works on rail stop construction get underway.
The milestone comes following the New South Wales Government’s $602.4 million commitment to the second stage of the project, which will begin with the construction of the Wentworth Point Bridge.
Stage One of the Parramatta Light Rail is expected to commence passenger services in 2023.
Meanwhile, the NSW Government can reveal the official names of the 16 light rail stops along the route.
The chosen stop names reflect the rich culture of the area, as well as a strong connection to the Traditional Owners, and sporting and broadcast legend, Richie Benaud.
A list of proposed names had been submitted to the Geographical Names Board in 2020. The Geographical Names Board undertook extensive community consultation and reviewed the name options based on feedback received.
The official stop names are:
- Westmead
- Westmead Hospital
- Childrens Hospital
- Ngara
- Benaud Oval
- Fennell Street
- Prince Alfred Square
- Church Street
- Parramatta Square
- Robin Thomas
- Tramway Avenue
- Rosehill Gardens
- Yallamundi
- Dundas
- Telopea
- Carlingford
By 2026, it is estimated 28,000 people will use Parramatta Light Rail every day and 130,000 people will be living within walking distance of light rail stops.