Construction work on a metro line connecting to the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek will be brought forward following an injection of $3.5 billion.
Prime minister Scott Morrison yesterday, along with NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW transport minister Andrew Constance, said the project would be fast-tracked and serve as an important initiative for job creation following the economic downturn.
Under an agreement between the federal and state governments, each announcing a $1.75 billion contribution, the project will commence construction shortly.
The funding adds to the $5.3 billion supplied by the federal government for the infrastructure project last year.
Sydney Metro: Western Sydney Airport Line
Over recent weeks, the $11 billion rail line to Sydney’s new airport has been sounded out as one of the numerous “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects needed to create jobs and kick-start the economy.
The metro project is expected to include a total of six metro stations, two of which will be within the airport’s boundaries running from St Marys train station to the airport’s north, through Luddenham and Orchard Hills.
The federal and NSW governments will each contribute $1.75 billion to expedite construction of the metro.
Preliminary construction will commence later this year with the major works starting in 2021.
Berejiklian said she could not recall a similar transport investment from the federal government with the project expected to drum up 14,000 new jobs.
The metro line is expected to be complete and operational when the under-construction Western Sydney Airport is inaugurated in 2026.
Western Sydney International, to be known as the Nancy-Bird Walton Airport, will handle 10 million passengers a year when it opens and is expected to welcome 82 million travellers by 2060.
The airport is planning to have just one terminal for all domestic and international flights.
The government said Western Sydney Airport’s construction schedule remains on track and that it will support 11,000 jobs.
Originally published by Ted Tabet in The Urban Developer HERE.