Sydney Metro West releases first Environmental Impact Statement

Minister for Transport Andrew Constance is calling on the community to have their say on the project as part of the first Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The major infrastructure project is expected to significantly cut crowding on three major Sydney train lines, take tens of thousands of cars off the road and support the creation of new jobs in Western Sydney.

“Sydney Metro West is truly a once-in-a-century project which will forever change how we get around our great city,” Mr. Constance said.

“It’s been almost 100 years since the Harbour Bridge transformed Sydney. Now this underground Metro is going to be the modern day game changer for our city, serving us for decades to come.”

It’s estimated that by 2036 around 3.2 million people will live in Western Sydney, accounting for nearly 50 per cent of the city’s population. This will increase the demand for public transport between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD by about 36 per cent in the morning peak.

The Sydney Metro West EIS outlines the benefits of the project on the city’s future growth.

One benefit is easing crowding on existing suburban train lines and stations. The EIS shows a 32 per cent fall in customer numbers on the T1 Western line at Parramatta in 2036, a 36 per cent reduction at Strathfield and a 35 per cent reduction at Redfern.

It is also expected to cut crowding by around 30 per cent at four major railway stations.

Cutting road congestion was shown to be another benefit in the EIS. It estimated there would be 83,000 fewer weekday car trips by 2036.

Another clear benefit was job creation. The EIS predicted construction of the Sydney Metro West would create more than 10,000 direct and 70,000 indirect jobs. Once opened, it is estimated the new line will facilitate an extra 595,000 jobs due to economic growth generated.

Finally, the project is expected to deliver faster travel times for commuters in the area.

The target travel time for Parramatta to the city is about 20 minutes, shaving 10 minutes off the current time. Sydney Olympic Park to Parramatta will be less than six minutes, taking 18 minutes off current times and Five Dock to the city will take less than 10 minutes, about a 35 minute time reduction when compared to current public transport.

A tender process for Sydney Metro West has already begun. The NSW Government has called for expressions of interest for the mega project’s first two major infrastructure packages, the delivery of twin tunnels between Westmead and The Bays.

The EIS reveals the new twin metro tunnels will be built on average 38 metres underground, the equivalent of a 13 storey building.

The community is able to provide feedback until 26 June. This is one of three EISs for the project due to its scale, and the community will have further opportunities to comment.

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