Sydney Light Rail

NewsSeptember 2015

Construction countdown beginsThe countdown to light rail construction in the

Sydney CBD is well underway, with work beginning

in George Street on 5 October and the first George

Street closure, between King and Market streets, on

23 October. Buses will roll out of George Street in the

CBD for the final time on 3 October 2015.

Critical investigative works near Myer and Westfield

on George Street will begin from 5 October.

General traffic will still be able to use George Street

in both directions.

At the start of main construction work on 23 October,

George Street will be permanently closed to general

traffic between King and Market streets. Emergency

and local vehicle access and pedestrian access will

be maintained and signage will direct motorists

through the CBD area.

Construction activity will be minimised from

1 December for the peak shopping season. This will

allow for increases in the available pedestrian area in

the lead up to Christmas.

The 12km light rail route from Circular Quay to

Randwick and Kingsford has been divided into

31 individual zones, to minimise the impacts of

For more information: www.sydneylightrail.com.au

Extensive investigative works such as potholing and geotechnical drilling have been carried out to locate service utilities and identify those to be relocated, to ensure the construction phase runs smoothly.

construction in any one area by allowing for works to

be staged along the route. However, some disruption

during the construction phase is inevitable.

Once completed, the CBD and South East Light Rail

will offer fast, reliable journeys from Circular Quay

through the CBD to South East Sydney’s sporting

and entertainment precincts, medical facilities,

education and business precincts.

News

Major changes will start to happen on

George Street as construction of light rail gets

underway next month. There will be a number of

challenges throughout the construction period

but by early 2019 the construction sites will be

replaced with a fully operational light rail providing

high-frequency ‘turn up and go’ services during

peak periods.

Staying informed is the only way to stay ahead

of the changes. Up-to-date information is released

regularly by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and the

project team to allow people to plan ahead and

minimise the impact of the construction on their daily

lives. Look out for the Sydney light rail newsletters

and e-updates or visit mysydney.nsw.gov.au or the

project website www.sydneylightrail.com.au.

Extra signage will be in place to

direct motorists around the CBD and electronic

variable message signage will also be used to update motorists on

road changes.

Access for local traffic,

emergency vehicles and pedestrians will be maintained throughout construction. Property

access will also be maintained.

What does this mean for Sydney?

4 October – 22 October Limited works on George Street between Market and King streets.

As Christmas is fast approaching, the team will get an early start on the works in this zone which will involve minor works in front of Myer. General traffic will still be able to use George Street in both directions with lane changes in place.

Important construction dates and traffic changes

23 October – 1 December George Street will be closed to general traffic between Market and King streets.

The work in this zone will increase from 23 October as the main construction work gets underway. It’s expected the work at Myer will be finished by 1 December which will also allow for increases in the available pedestrian area in the lead up to Christmas.

Artist impression of the view of George Street between Market and King streets when major construction begins on 23 October.

September 2015

Preferred driving routes will be

signposted for motorists. Motorists

on the move in the CBD need to be

aware of the upcoming changes and

follow the signage. There will be no

general traffic access on George

Street between King Street and

Market Street from 23 October.

A new CBD bus network begins operating on 4 October. Most

CBD bus routes will be affected, with changes to routes, timetables,

route numbers and bus stops. Buses will operate predominantly

along new priority routes on Elizabeth Street, Castlereagh Street,

Park Street, Druitt Street, Clarence Street and York Street. They

will no longer operate along George Street. Take note of signs at

your usual bus stop and plan a new trip from scratch using the trip

planner at transportnsw.info or by calling 131 500.

Planning ahead is the key to managing the upcoming changes.

Commuters are encouraged to plan their journey from scratch and

allow extra travel time in case of delays.

George Street will be permanently closed to general traffic between King Street and Market Street. An emergency access lane will be provided for emergency services and for access to the loading docks and driveways in this closed section.

3 December – 23 December Works on George Street between Market and Park streets.

From 3 December, work will start in this zone. George Street will be permanently closed to general traffic between King Street and Park/Druitt streets. The east west streets of King, Market and Park/Druitt streets will remain open to general traffic.

Stakeholder engagement has been

a major part of the planning stage for this project and will

continue throughout construction. The project team will keep

stakeholders informed and channel community and business feedback

to the relevant project area. Project contacts

are listed on page 4.

For more information: www.sydneylightrail.com.au

News September 2015

Artist impression of the view of the completed Randwick Stabling Yard from Alison Road showing both the retained existing trees and proposed new trees at mature size.

For more information: www.sydneylightrail.com.au

Randwick Stabling Yard early worksThirty-six light rail vehicles will be housed in the

Randwick Stabling Yard on Alison Road which will

also function as a light maintenance facility. A sound

barrier wall will be built along the Doncaster Avenue

side of the Stabling Yard to protect local residents.

The project team recently met with residents to

discuss the design for the sound barrier wall and the

type of trees to be planted to ensure the wall blends

with the surrounding environment.

Plans for the Randwick Stabling Yard also include a

high voltage substation and an operations control

centre from where the whole network will be

monitored.

Work will start in October 2015 to establish this site.

The early works will include demolition of existing

sheds and structures, relocation of some utilities,

installation of site sheds for construction workers,

temporary fencing and protection of heritage

buildings. During this time, heavy vehicles will

access the site via Ascot Street. The construction

of the sound barrier wall is scheduled to begin in

January 2016.

Randwick light rail terminus to move to High StreetPlans have been announced to move the Randwick

Light Rail Terminus from High Cross Park into a new

High Street plaza, bringing a number of benefits to

the local community.

The proposed new location means the light rail stop

will be closer to the Sydney Children’s Hospital and

Prince of Wales Hospital allowing staff, patients and

visitors better access to the new line.

The decision is part of a wider urban renewal

proposal for the High Street precinct and results

from eight months of collaboration between the

Light Rail team, Randwick City Council, Health

Infrastructure and the University of NSW regarding

various design modifications.

It is also proposed that a transformer, required to

assist in powering the network, will be buried under

a section of High Cross Park rather than remain

above ground as originally planned.

Major works are expected to start on High Street in

November 2016.

Contact detailsEnquiries: projects@transport.nsw.gov.auTfNSW Project Information Line: 1800 684 49024hr Construction Response Line: 1800 775 465

Community Information Centre Ground Floor, 388 George Street, Sydney (entry on King Street)

For more information about the transport projects transforming Sydney CBD go to www.mysydney.nsw.gov.au

Project website: www.sydneylightrail.com.au

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