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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by JRG (talk | contribs) at 11:17, 18 March 2008 (→History: added a bit more old info (the old preferred project report is still available)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:Future australian public transportation Template:Public transport infrastructure in Sydney The North West Metro (previously the North West Rail Link) is a proposed metro line which will run from the northwestern suburbs of Sydney, Australia to the Sydney CBD. It will be undertaken by the NSW State Government and will connect Epping with Rouse Hill and the Sydney CBD.

The line was part of the Metropolitan Rail Expansion Program (MREP). Before the change to a metro line, the MREP previously included the South West Rail Link, North West Rail Link and the CBD Rail Link. The MREP was intended to provide links between the major new growth and employment areas of the metropolitan region. The North West Metro would serve the growing population in north west Sydney and provide public transport connections to a number of important centres including the Epping, Top Ryde, Pyrmont, and the Sydney CBD.

Proposed Route

The North West Metro will be 37 kilometres in length, with 32 kilometres underground and 5 kilometres above ground. The line is likely to operated without drivers. The North West Metro will generally incorporate the alignment and stations previously proposed by the North West Rail Link but will include the additional benefits of directly linking the North West with Gladesville, Drummoyne, Pyrmont and the CBD. There will be 17 new metro stations along the line at:

According to the State Government press release announcing the North West Metro project, the new Euro-style metro will offer a rail service of one train every four to five minutes (three minutes during peak hours). It will run on conventional standard guage track, similar to the existing CityRail network. It is proposed to run single deck rolling stock along the route of the proposed North West Metro.[1] The new metro stations will provide connections with existing CityRail network at St. James, Martin Place, Wynyard and Epping.

History

Diagram of the original North West Rail Link as part of the MREP. The line is marked in black.

The North West Rail Link was originally announced in 1998 as a heavy rail line for completion in 2010, in 2006 the schedule was revised for completion in 2017. On 20 November, 2006, the government announced a staged plan for the North West Rail Line with train services to Castle Hill and Hills Centre in 2015, two years ahead of the original timing of 2017. On 18 March, 2008 the Government changed the project to a metro line and expanded the line to run all the way to the Sydney CBD via the suburbs of Ryde, Gladesville, Drummoyne and Pyrmont. The section from Hills Centre to Epping will be completed by 2015, and the entire line from Rouse Hill to the city by 2017.[2][3]

The original North West Rail Link was planned to be 22 kilometres in length, consisting of a 16 kilometre section in tunnel from Epping to the proposed Burns Road Station, followed by a 4 kilometre section above ground from Burns Road Station to Rouse Hill. A train stabling facility was proposed at the north west of Rouse Hill Town Centre. The NWRL was to connect with the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link through a direct tunnel between Epping and Franklin Road stations, although an original proposal connected with the existing Northern Line north of Cheltenham.[4] The direct route was to use the stub tunnels originally built for the deferred Parramatta Rail Link between Parramatta and Epping.[4] New stub tunnels for the Parramatta Rail Link were to be constructed so that if the Parramatta line were completed, trains from Parramatta would have also been able to link into the Epping-Chatswood Line.[4]

Original proposed station at Castle Hill.

Six new stations were proposed under the original plan to be constructed at:

The line was set to open in two stages, with the first stage from Epping to Hills Centre completed by 2015 (originally set for 2017). The second stage from Hills Centre to Rouse Hill was due by 2017. It was proposed that the original NWRL would offer an off peak rail service of four trains per hour, with six to eight trains per hour in peak periods and is expected to carry six to eight million passengers per year.

Possible future extension

There have been long term plans to extend the North West Metro to meet the existing Richmond branch of the Western Line near Vineyard. However, the location of alignment is not finalised and further investigation and studies are required to be undertaken. The investigation would be subject to a separate environmental assessments.

See also

References

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference pressrelease was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Smith, Alexandra, "$12bn metro rail plan", Sydney Morning Herald, 18 March, 2008. Accessed 18 March, 2008.
  3. ^ Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation: North West Metro Project Profile
  4. ^ a b c New South Wales Government, TIDC North West Rail Link - Preferred Project Report Volume 1 May 2007. Accessed 18 March, 2008.
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