Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1

Stay Safe around Parramatta Light Rail

As schools return for Term 3 and fans make their way to CommBank Stadium this Friday for the Parramatta Eels v Storm match, locals and visitors are reminded to be alert around the new Parramatta Light Rail network.

Parramatta Light Rail is in its final testing phase, with more trams running along the 12-kilometre alignment between Westmead and Carlingford through the day and night. Trams will run from 5am to 1am.

The community is reminded to stop, listen and look around when driving, walking or riding near the tracks and to play their part to stay safe around the light rail.

Testing and commissioning is a vital step to ensure the safety and reliability of the light rail vehicles and system before services can commence.

The 63-tonne trams are quiet, move faster than walking speed and do not stop quickly or easily.

Testing of light rail vehicles continues with the community slowly becoming familiar with the Parramatta Light Rail travelling along our City Streets.

The community will see six (6) light rail vehicles travelling between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, along the entire 12-kilometre Stage 1 network between Westmead and Carlingford, including in the Parramatta CBD.

Testing and commissioning is vital to ensure the safety and reliability of the light rail vehicles and network before passenger services can commence.

Testing will increase with more night and daytime testing being scheduled to prepare for the much-anticipated mid-year opening of Stage 1 - Parramatta Light Rail (dates and details to be confirmed).

Trams move quietly and quickly. Transport for NSW’s safety campaign emphasises that the community need to stop, listen and look around when near PLR tracks and stops.

With tracks now operational, residents and visitors are reminded to take care when near the tracks:

• Only cross at designated pedestrian crossings.
• Step over tracks to avoid heels getting caught.
• Bicycle, wheelchair and pram users will need to move directly across the tracks to avoid wheels getting stuck.
• Motorists are reminded never to queue across tram tracks
• Stay safe -Stop, Listen and Look Around.

For more information on testing and commissioning of the Parramatta Light Rail, please see the PLR commissioning and testing factsheet.

For information on staying safe around the Light Rail, please see Transport for NSW’s website https://www.nsw.gov.au/parramatta-light-rail/safety

Testing of light rail vehicles continues. Testing is now centred on sections within the Parramatta CBD and will progress to North Parramatta, Cumberland Precinct and Westmead. Testing will occur during the day and at night.

Residents and visitors are reminded to take care when crossing the tracks and to cross only at designated pedestrian crossings.

The removal of asphalt track in-fill means pedestrians will need to step over tracks to avoid heels getting caught. Bicycle, wheelchair and pram users will need to move directly across the tracks to avoid wheels getting stuck.

For more information on testing and commissioning of the Parramatta Light Rail, please see the PLR commissioning and testing factsheet.

For information on staying safe around the Light Rail, please see https://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/safety

Testing of light rail vehicles continues. The first tests are taking place in the section between Carlingford and Camellia and testing will then move along the alignment to the Parramatta CBD, North Parramatta, Cumberland Precinct and Westmead. Testing will occur during the day and at night.

While track work is 100% complete, work on Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 continues in Westmead, North Parramatta, Parramatta and CBD, and in the Camellia to Carlingford section.

Residents and visitors are reminded to take care when crossing the tracks and to cross only at designated pedestrian crossings.

The removal of asphalt track in-fill means pedestrians will need to step over tracks to avoid heels getting caught; and bicycle, wheelchair and pram users will need to move directly across the tracks to avoid wheels getting stuck.

With Parramatta Light Rail vehicle testing underway, please only cross the tracks at designated pedestrian crossings.

For more information on testing and commissioning of the Parramatta Light Rail, please see the PLR commissioning and testing factsheet.

For information on staying safe around the Light Rail, please see https://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/safety

January works

Work in January includes:

• Continuing track in-fill removal
• Preparation for overhead wiring installation
• Systems testing
• Energising and systems testing
• Ongoing fit-out of maintenance facilities and administration building at Camelia
• Paving
• Construction at Robin Thomas Reserve. 

For more detailed information on planned works, see the Weekly Works update at Parramatta Light Rail.

Testing and commissioning of light rail to begin

Testing and commissioning of Parramatta light rail vehicles will begin this summer, with testing to take place day and night. 

Testing will be progressive. The first test will take place in the section between Carlingford and Camellia. In the first half of 2024, testing will then move along the alignment to the Parramatta CBD, North Parramatta, Cumberland Precinct and Westmead.

The first light rail vehicle movements will be at low speed and low frequency. The speed and number of light rail movements will increase as the testing progresses in 2024.

Stage 1 of Parramatta Light Rail will open in mid-2024.

The Parramatta Light Rail will carry up to 400 passengers at a time.

High frequency ‘turn up and go’ services will operate seven days a week, departing approximately every 7.5 minutes during peak periods.

For more information, including an animation of the Parramatta Light Rail vehicles, see
https://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/light-rail-vehicle-features

Track infill removal – be safe

Residents and visitors to Parramatta and Westmead are reminded to be aware and keep safe around the Parramatta Light Rail alignment.

Asphalt infill is being removed from the light rail tracks ahead of on-track testing and commissioning of light rail vehicles. 

Removal of the asphalt means pedestrians will need to step over tracks, to avoid heels getting caught; and bicycle, wheelchair and pram users will need to move directly across the tracks to avoid wheels getting stuck. 

Pedestrians will also need to remember to only cross the tracks at designated pedestrian crossings.  

For more information see: https://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/track-infill-removal-safety-campaign
 

Over the summer Great River City Light Rail and Parramatta Connect continued work on Transport for NSW’s Parramatta Light Rail with the project preparing to begin passenger services in 2024. 

Carlingford

Work to install power substations in Telopea, Carlingford and Camelia continues. The substations will convert grid electricity to provide power to the light rail vehicles.

Installation of canopies at the five light rail stops between Carlingford and Camellia is underway: Carlingford, Telopea, Dundas, Yallamundi and Rosehill Gardens. Fit-out of the light rail stops continues.

Parramatta

In the CBD, construction of the Church Street light rail stop is nearing completion and canopies have been installed for the Parramatta Square, Robin Thomas and Tramway Avenue stops.

Minor finishing work is also continuing along the alignment including signage and traffic camera installation, asphalting and utility adjustments.

Camelia Stabling and Maintenance Facility 

Work continues at the Stabling and Maintenance Facility including the internal fit-out and cladding of the maintenance and administration buildings and construction of the wash facility as well as underground utilities work and the installation of overhead wiring, lighting and light poles.

North Parramatta to Westmead

Work continues on the fit-out the light rail stops, construction of the power substations, overhead wiring and signalling. Overhead canopies have been delivered and installed at all seven light rail stops between Westmead and North Parramatta. The stops are Westmead, Westmead Hospital, Children's Hospital, Ngara, Benaud Oval, Fennell Street and Prince Alfred Square. Fit-out of the stops continues.

Arrival of the first light rail vehicle 

The first of 13 new light rail vehicles has arrived. The vehicles will be able to carry up to 400 passengers and be fully accessible with low floors. Passenger services are expected to begin in 2024.

December 2022

The Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 project has entered delivery phase.

With the completion of major construction, including the 16 light rail stops between Westmead and Carlingford, canopies for weather protection have been lifted into place and fit-out is underway.

On weekends throughout December, Parramatta Light Rail brings fun to Church Street with an activation site and special appearances from Santa – see event details here 

Coming up in 2023

In 2023, work on PLR Stage 1 will shift to completing light rail stop construction and finishing the Stabling and Maintenance Facility in Camelia.

All 13 light rail vehicles will arrive in Parramatta, and vehicle and systems testing and commissioning will begin.

Work on power substations and building the back-up operation control centre will also take place, and passenger services are scheduled to begin in 2024.

To read the latest PLR update in full, click here

November/December highlights:

• Weather canopies for the Rosehill Gardens and Telopea light rail stops were craned into place in early November. 
• The installation of overhead wiring has commenced. Special hi-rail vehicles travel on the tracks to unroll and install the wires on the overhead poles. Once the wires are in position, workers tighten them before the testing begins. 
• Substations are being constructed at various points along the alignment to energise the overhead wires and provide power to the light rail vehicles.
• Work at the Stabling and Maintenance Facility in Camellia continues. Over the last few weeks concrete slabs for the track and maintenance buildings have been poured. Installation of structural steel for the key buildings, and the internal fit out of the administration building has begun.
• Construction of the Church Street light rail stop is nearing completion and the fencing has been reduced with further reductions to occur in the coming months.
• Delivery and construction of the canopies for the remaining light rail stops in the Parramatta area will take place over the next few weeks with Robin Thomas and Tramway Avenue planned for installation mid-December. 
• Minor finishing work is also continuing along the alignment including signage and traffic camera installation, asphalting and utility adjustments.

Westmead Temporary Road Closures

From Tuesday 29 November temporary road closures and traffic changes will be in place to allow access to work areas in Westmead:
• Hainsworth Street from Hawkesbury Road to Park Avenue
• Hawkesbury Road from Railway Parade to Hainsworth Street.

Note: these works will take up to three months to complete.
 
Fencing installation will occur at Hainsworth Street between 8pm and 5am from Tuesday 29 November to Friday 2 December. If work is delayed, it will be carried out on the next available night shift.
 
See the community notification for detailed information on the work. 
 
For more information, visit Weekly works schedule for upcoming work locations or Changed traffic conditions to see traffic changes in your area.
 
More information:
If you have any questions, please phone the PLR 24-hour community information line on 1800 139 389 or email parramattalightrail@transport.nsw.gov.au
 

Read the latest newsletter from TfNSW.

While the two-way track along the 12km of the Parramatta Light Rail (PLR) project is now complete, work now shifts to the installation of stop canopies, construction of traction power substations, wiring and signalling along the alignment to support future operations of PLR Stage 1.

The NSW Government has also committed more than $600m to progressing PLR Stage 2.  https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/vision/parramatta-light-rail/parramatta-light-rail-stage-2

Upcoming works

In July, PLR will be finishing major infrastructure work across the alignment. Work between Westmead and Parramatta includes asphalting, paving, line marking, landscaping, signage installation, concreting and traffic signal commissioning.

Church Street - two 23 metre-long 6-tonne canopies have been lifted into place to create PLR stops in Church Street between Phillip and George streets. Finishing work, including asphalting, paving, concreting and commissioning traffic signals will continue through July.

In Parramatta, road closures and traffic changes will continue to allow access to work areas along Macquarie, George, Smith, Phillip, Harris and Alfred streets, Tramway Avenue and Church Street between Market and Macquarie streets. 

Westmead, work near the entrance of the Children's Hospital includes footpath paving, driveway resurfacing, stormwater drainage, landscaping and installation of street furniture.
 

Night-works at Westmead

Out-of-hours work will take place in Westmead in July to complete finishing work, including kerb and gutter, footpath paving and the installation of street furniture. This work will be carried out Monday to Sunday nights, between 6pm and 7am.  See the community notification for detailed information.  

Temporary road closures and traffic changes will be in place to allow access to work areas in: 
- Hawkesbury Road from Alexandra Avenue to Hainsworth Street
- Hainsworth Street from Hawkesbury Road to Park Avenue
- Railway Parade from Hawkesbury Road to Ashley Lane
- Railway Parade and Park Avenue from Alfred Street to Queens Road

Telopea - upcoming work includes construction of power substations with a traction power substation to be built within the rail corridor at Telopea to support future light rail operations.

For the latest updates, including road and traffic impacts, visit weekly works schedule or changed traffic conditions.

To receive regular updates on the latest news, please subscribe to the NSW Government PLR E-Newsletter.

PLR Stage 1 stop names revealed

The NSW Government has revealed the official names of the 16 light rail stops along Stage 1 of the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail following extensive consultation with the community.

The official Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 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.

Read the full announcement here (PDF, 434.9 KB).

There has been significant progress on PLR Stage 1 and the NSW Government has now committed more than $600m to progressing PLR Stage 2. Community consultation on the route, stops and more ends Sunday 26 June 2022. Have your say now, see PLR Stage 2.

Stage 1 upcoming works

In June and July, PLR will be finishing major infrastructure work across the alignment, once this is complete, building the light rail stops and power systems will begin.

• Work between Westmead and Parramatta includes asphalting, paving, line marking, landscaping, signage installation, concreting and traffic signal commissioning.
• At Westmead, work near the entrance of the Children's Hospital will begin mid-June including footpath paving, driveway resurfacing, stormwater drainage, landscaping and installation of street furniture.

Night-works at Westmead

Out-of-hours work will take place in Westmead in June and July to complete finishing work, including kerb and gutter, footpath paving and the installation of street furniture. This work will be carried out Monday to Sunday nights, between 6pm and 7am.  See the community notification for detailed information.  

Temporary road closures and traffic changes will be in place to allow access to work areas in: 
- Hawkesbury Road from Alexandra Avenue to Hainsworth Street
- Hainsworth Street from Hawkesbury Road to Park Avenue
- Railway Parade from Hawkesbury Road to Ashley Lane
- Railway Parade and Park Avenue from Alfred Street to Queens Road

On Church Street Parramatta, from Friday 3 June to approximately Friday 17 June, intermittent closures of Ross Street at Church Street Parramatta will be in operation.

On Church Street Parramatta, work is underway between Phillip and George streets to install the light rail stop. The delivery and installation of the stop canopies is anticipated to take place over two nights between 9pm and 6am on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 June 2022, weather permitting.  

In Parramatta, road closures and traffic changes will continue to allow access to work areas along Macquarie, George, Smith, Phillip, Harris and Alfred streets, Tramway Avenue and Church Street between Market and Macquarie streets.

Activities to the end of July include:
- Installing kerbs, gutters and footpaths
- Installing traffic signals, utilities and drainage
- Adjusting adjacent property structures, including driveways and retaining walls
- Minor finishing work, including asphalting, associated concrete pours and saw cutting
- Delivering plant and heavy equipment to site.

At Westmead, from Monday 6 June, Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, between Darcy Road and Park Avenue will reopen to traffic in both directions. All intersections will also be reopened, in-line with final road and traffic arrangements for PLR.

For the latest updates, including road and traffic impacts, visit weekly works schedule or changed traffic conditions.

To receive regular updates on the latest news, please subscribe to the NSW Government PLR E-Newsletter.

There has been significant progress on PLR Stage 1 and the NSW Government is now inviting community consultation on PLR Stage 2.

For the latest news please see the PLR newsletter (PDF, 2.48 MB).

For the latest updates, including road and traffic impacts, visit weekly works schedule or changed traffic conditions.

And to receive regular updates on the latest news, please subscribe to the NSW Government PLR E-Newsletter. 

Macquarie Street Parramatta CBD to become one way

On Monday 20 December, Macquarie Street - between O’Connell Street and Horwood Place -  will be converted to one way eastbound. This will impact drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, residents, business and schools.

Please look out for Transport for NSW information around the change in traffic conditions and take extra care when in the area. See the Macquarie Street PDF for more information.

Church Street update

Major construction on Church Street, including the Parramatta Eat Street precinct, is complete. Your favourite cafes and restaurants are offering outdoor dining, and to celebrate the middle of the street - where the Light Rail will operate from 2023 - is now brimming with colourful art and fun installations including table games and spinning chairs.

Construction and track installation continues in other parts of the CBD and across the City. The PLR team has completed track from the Cumberland Hospital to Prince Alfred Square stops. Road and footpath construction and landscaping work is ongoing in this area.

For the latest updates, including road and traffic impacts, visit weekly works schedule or changed traffic conditions.

Parramatta Light Rail resumes work on site

In line with the current Public Health Order, work on the Parramatta Light Rail has recommenced under strict requirements. The crews are working hard to progress the construction of light rail as safely as possible.

For more information, view the weekly works schedule locations or changed traffic conditions for traffic changes in your area.

More information:

If you have any urgent enquiries or complaints during this work, please call the 24-hour Community Information Line on 1800 139 389.

To find out more about the project visit the Parramatta Light Rail or email parramattalightrail@transport.nsw.gov.au

Changed traffic conditions at Church Street and George Street intersection

George Street between Freemason Arms Lane and Red Cow Lane, Parramatta, will be closed each weekend in June until 21 June 2021 requiring a number of changes to traffic flow.

The intersection at Church Street and George Street will be closed continuously from 7pm Friday 25 June to 7am Monday 12 July 2021

Temporary pedestrian and traffic control will be in place as required to ensure safe movements around the work zone. Traffic management will include temporary road, footpath and lane closures, and the removal of any kerbside parking within the work zone.

Church Street will remain permanently closed to traffic between Macquarie and Market Streets.

The first tracks have been laid on the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail, marking a major milestone for the project.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said this project will be key to connecting this critical health and education precinct with the Parramatta CBD. “It’s exciting to see this city-changing project one step closer to completion,” Cr Dwyer said.

Westmead and North Parramatta

• Relocation of utilities including drainage, telecommunications, water, electricity and gas.
• Lighting infrastructure installation including conduits, pits, foundations and multi-function poles.
• Construction of retaining walls, driveways and other property adjustment works.
• Preliminary trackwork including installation of track services, drainage and trackslab.
• Track installation starting in sections of the alignment.
• Installation of kerbs, gutters and paths.
• Tree removal where necessary to enable construction, in line with environmental approvals.
• Work zones relocated as required to allow access to work areas during the day.
• Major traffic changes planned for November and December include road closures at:
  • Church Street between Factory Street and Victoria Road
  • Major intersections along Church Street and Factory Street
  • intersection of Factory, New and Fleet Streets
  • Jessie Street at Hawkesbury Road, Westmead
  • Queens Road at Hawkesbury Road, Westmead
  • Caroline Street at Hawkesbury Road, Westmead.

Parramatta CBD

• Removal of the micro tunnelling compounds in Centenary Square.
• Church, Macquarie and George Streets will see civil works continue (including concreting, excavation and landscaping), utilities installed and relocated including water, communications, gas and electricity) and street lighting set up.
• Macquarie Street will have ongoing traffic changes and road closures on weekends so make sure you keep up to date on the Parramatta Light Rail website and the Spot parking app.
• Robin Thomas Reserve also has continuing civil works and heritage investigations.

Transport for NSW announces it will no longer halt construction on Church Street for a three-month ‘grace period’

Transport for NSW today revealed it will no longer halt construction on Church Street for a three-month ‘grace period’ from 1 November, following consultation with businesses.

City of Parramatta Council understands many local businesses support an earlier finish to major works and hopes this fast-tracking helps minimise impacts for them.

Council has written to Transport for NSW asking that it provide additional support for local businesses in lieu of the grace period, including:

• matching Council’s offer to invest up to $70,000 in a Church Street marketing campaign;
• matching Council’s offer to invest up to $250,000 in our new initiative which provides free parking at the Riverbank and Eat Street car parks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to help restaurants;
• stopping construction on Church Street at 5pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday so businesses can maximise dinner dining trade;
• improving pedestrian access on Church Street by installing mid-block crossings;
• installing high-quality hoardings to help reduce noise and dust;
• installing new signage on key roads and intersections to direct people to Church Street; and
• offering Church Street businesses rent support.

Council has long advocated for a world-class light rail network and looks forward to continuing to work with the NSW Government to connect our City while supporting local businesses.

For more information, read the Lord Mayor's statement, see Minister for Transport Andrew Constance's media release or visit the Parramatta Light Rail homepage.

The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure has announced the awarding of the two major contracts to construct and operate Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail.

CPB Contractors and Downer EDI Works Joint Venture was the successful infrastructure contractor and will be responsible for construction of the light rail track and slab, paving and other public domain works.

The Great River City Light Rail Consortium including Transdev Australasia and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) was the successful Supply, Operate, and Maintain (SOM) contractor. The SOM contractor is responsible for supplying vehicles, designing and construction of the stabling and maintenance facility, systems, and operation and maintenance.

Between these contractors, the Newcastle, Canberra and Gold Coast Stage 2 light rail networks were delivered, as are bus and light rail operation services across NSW.

The Minister also confirmed the final budget for the project as $2.4 billion, which includes these two major contracts, early and enabling works, road network upgrades, new bridges and active transport links, urban design, changes to the bus network and project costs from 2015-2023.

As part of the Parramatta Light Rail project, the proposed depot (Stabling and Maintenance facility) site at 6 Grand Avenue, Camellia, is being remediated to address chemical and asbestos contamination resulting from the land’s historical industrial use.

The NSW Government has given Parramatta’s premier dining strip ‘Eat Street’ a guarantee that major construction for the Parramatta Light Rail will not commence until at least 2020.

Transport for NSW advises smaller site investigation works will take place on Eat Street in 2019 with minimal disruption and that businesses and residents will be kept fully informed well ahead of these works commencing.

Parramatta Light Rail will begin associated road, traffic and remediation works later this year.

Transport for NSW has advised it is also investigating how Eat Street – defined as Church Street, between Palmer and George Streets – could benefit from a flexible construction schedule which works around the street’s busiest trading times, weekends, early evenings and holidays.

The NSW Government has announced it will provide free one-on-one business support development workshops, marketing and merchandising advice from a specialist support service and the establishment of Business Reference Groups.

The NSW Government has announced The Diona Ward Joint Venture (Diona Pty Ltd and Ward Civil & Environmental Engineering Pty Ltd) has been appointed to deliver the Parramatta Light Rail ‘Enabling Works’. Enabling Works are expected to begin in late 2018.

The contract encompasses the relocation of underground utilities, the modification or installation of traffic lights, road widening, the redirection of traffic flows and changes to parking.

George Street in the Parramatta CBD is set to become two-way, moving traffic through the heart of Parramatta more efficiently by redistributing traffic across the local road network.

Providing an alternative to Church Street, O’Connell Street will be widened to four lanes from Barney Street to Albert Street.

These works aim to increase road capacity to ensure traffic can move in and around the Parramatta area during construction and operation of the light rail.

The Enabling Works contract is the second of four major contracts announced to facilitate the construction and operation of Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail.

A contract to remediate the planned light rail depot site was awarded in April 2018.

Contracts to deliver Infrastructure Works, and Supply, Operate and Maintain the Parramatta Light Rail are currently out to tender and will be awarded by the end of this year.

On 30 May 2018, the NSW Government announced planning approval for Stage 1 of the Critical State Significant Infrastructure project.

Planning approval follows Council and community input on the Environmental Impact Statement for Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail project in 2017.

Council is pleased to see that the planning approval for Stage 1 includes conditions that address a number of concerns raised by Council and the community. 

Some of the conditions placed on Transport for NSW for the construction and operation of the Parramatta Light Rail system include:

• requirements around construction hours
• specific conditions around a grass track and wire-free running (no overhead wires)

Transport for NSW must also develop and prepare a number of reports:

• Flood Management Plan to show the project will not adversely impact flooding
• Operational Traffic, Transport and Access Performance Review to ensure the overall traffic system is working well
• Urban Design Requirements Report to ensure a good urban design outcome for the project
• Tree Offset Strategy and Flora and Fauna Management Sub Plan to protect biodiversity along the route
• Business Activation Plan to support businesses during the construction period. A Business Reference Group to provide information on the project to the business community and to monitor and provide feedback on the implementation of the Business Activation Plan must also be established.

The NSW Government also confirmed that Acciona, the contractor building the Sydney Light Rail Project, is not one of the short-listed companies being considered for the 12 kilometre two-way Parramatta Light Rail project.

While Transport for NSW has responsibility for the construction of the project, Council will continue to advocate for residents and local business to ensure the impacts of this major project are managed carefully.

Council will also work with Transport for NSW on business activation strategies to ensure businesses affected by construction of the Parramatta Light Rail project are supported throughout this time.