<p>The New South Wales Government this week gave the go-ahead for tunnelling to begin on the $1.62bn Parramatta Rail Link project.</p> <p>The passenger link is the biggest rail project in Sydney since the city underground was built 80 years ago, transport minister Carl Scully said.</p> <p>The initial stage proposes a mid-2008 completion date for the Chatswood-Epping section of the route, which will include three new underground stations.</p> <p>In July this year, Thiess Hochtief Joint Venture (THJV) was awarded the contract to construct the Chatswood-Epping section of the 28km route.</p> <p>This work will include about 13 km in twin tunnels, excavation of station caverns and installation of rail tracks and systems.</p> <p>The government hopes the link will ease congestion on the main west line to the city from western Sydney.</p> <p>The full project, which includes the Chatswood-Parramatta section, is not scheduled for completion until 2010.</p> <br />
