Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Sydney’s Southwest Metro opens after more than two years of disruption
Sydney’s Southwest Metro is due to open on Friday, completing the final stretch of the M1 line between Chatswood and Bankstown.
The project converted a 130-year-old heavy rail line in south-west Sydney for driverless metro trains.
The rail closure lasted more than two years, far longer than the planned three to six months, and commuters relied on replacement buses.
The combined metro sections cost nearly $23 billion, about double the $11.5 billion forecast when plans were unveiled.
The conversion was scaled back because it proved difficult and expensive, but the disruption still affected residents and commuters across the corridor.
The opening is expected to improve travel, though residents and businesses differ on how nearby development will affect the area.
A transport expert says local jobs and economic activity will help deliver lasting benefits from the upgraded links.
Sydney’s Southwest Metro is due to open its final stretch on Friday after a railway closure that lasted more than two years.
The project converted an existing heavy rail line in the city’s south-west for driverless metro trains.
The planned closure was initially expected to last three to six months, then extended to a year and later about 18 months before exceeding two years.
The combined metro sections between Chatswood and Bankstown cost nearly $23 billion, about double the forecast made when plans were unveiled.
Residents and businesses have described the long replacement-bus period as disruptive, while some local business owners expect the metro to benefit the area.
- Who
- Sydney’s Southwest Metro and commuters in the city’s south-west.
- What
- The final stretch of the metro is due to open after a closure of the old railway lasting more than two years.
- When
- Friday; the sources do not state the date.
- Where
- The south-west Sydney rail corridor, including stations such as Marrickville, Dulwich Hill and Campsie.
- Why
- The project converted an existing heavy rail line for driverless trains. The sources do not state a more specific reason for the opening date.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Plans were drawn up to convert a 130-year-old heavy rail line into a line for driverless trains.
The project was scaled back after the challenges and costs of converting the line became apparent.
A planned three- to six-month closure extended to a year, then about 18 months, and ultimately more than two years.
The final stretch of the Southwest Metro is due to open.
- Existing line
- 130-year-old heavy rail line
- Track retained
- Most of the existing 13 kilometres
- Combined metro cost
- Nearly $23 billion between Chatswood and Bankstown
- Original forecast
- About $11.5 billion
- Replacement buses
- About $200 million for the two-year rail shutdown
- Commuters
- Up to 60,000 used the T3 heavy rail line each day
What people are saying
It was really hard for us
I just wasted my three hours travelling [for a return trip to the central city].
We need more people coming
If you don’t realise the broader benefits, you miss out on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lift the whole south-west area.