First tracks have been laid on a massive new rail project in Sydney.

On Wednesday, track laying commenced on the Sydney Metro- Western Sydney Airport line.

Set to open next year at the same time as the new Western Sydney International Airport, the project will connect the new airport and Bradfield City Centre with St Marys Station via 23 kilometres of new rail and six new stations.

Travellers coming into Sydney will have a 15-minute commute to St Marys. From there, they will be able to access regular services into the Sydney CBD and elsewhere.

The project is being co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.

The first portion of track was installed at Luddenham, north of a new metro rail bridge over the future M12 motorway, which is also being co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.

Track laying is now progressing north towards St Marys.

All up, more than 6,400 tonnes of rail steel will be laid along the line – all of which was sourced from Australia.

In total, 106.8 kilometres of rail line and 76,285 sleepers will be installed.

This includes putting tracks down at the stabling and maintenance facility at Orchard Hills.

Work to build the six stations for the new line is in taking place. Plans detailing the design for each station are now finalised.

All up, more than 14,000 jobs will be created during construction.

The track laying is being performed by Parklife Metro consortium. This includes Plenary, Webuild, Seimens and RATP Dev.

Under the largest ever public private partnership contract awarded in New South Wales in 2022, Parklife will deliver six new stations, 12 new metro trains, core rail systems and the stabling and maintenance facility at Orchard Hills.

Commonwealth Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King welcomed the commencement of track laying.

“Every great airport needs a frequent and efficient rail link, and that’s what the Albanese and Minns Governments are delivering in Western Sydney,” King said.

Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty agrees.

“We’re making significant progress on the infrastructure that will shape the future of South West Sydney — with world-class Metro services, better roads, and an international airport on our doorstep,” he said.

“This means more local jobs and more opportunity for our growing community.”

 

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