North West railway line, Sydney
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This article or section contains information about a planned or expected public transportation infrastructure. It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the construction and/or completion of the infrastructure approaches, and more information becomes available. |
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| North West Rail Link | |
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|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Mode | Commuter rail proposed |
| Area | Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Hornsby, Parramatta |
| Owner | Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation |
| Design | |
| Length | 23 km |
| Stations | 8 |
| Connects | Epping, Hills Centre, Rouse Hill |
| 1998 | Line announced |
| 2012 | Construction to begin |
| 2015 | Open to Hills Centre |
| 2017 | Open to Rouse Hill |
| 2020 | Connect with Vineyard Station (proposed) |
| Operations | |
| Public transport | | |
The North West Rail Link is a major project undertaken by the NSW State Government that will travel from Epping to Rouse Hill. Originally announced in 1998 for completion in 2010, in 2006 the schedule was revised for completion in 2017. On 20 November 2006, the government announced a staged plan for the North West Rail Line with train services to Castle Hill and The Hills Centre in 2015, two years ahead of the original timing of 2017.
The NWRL is a proposed new 23 kilometre passenger rail line from Epping to Rouse Hill in Sydney's north west. The NWRL would connect the existing Northern Line between Beecroft and Cheltenham Stations. It would be fully integrated into the existing CityRail network, connecting with the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link.
Highlights of the North West Rail Link development include:
- CityRail services to The Hills Centre by 2015 (originally set for 2017)
- Epping to The Hills Centre completed by 2015, including three new stations at Franklin Road, Castle Hill and The Hills Centre
- The Hills Centre to Rouse Hill by 2017, including three new stations - Norwest (near the business park), Burns Road and Rouse Hill
- All day rail service of four trains per hour, six to eight per hour in peak periods
- Six to eight million passengers per year
In June 2005 the NSW Government announced it would progress the Metropolitan Rail Expansion Program (MREP). The MREP includes the South West Rail Link, North West Rail Link and the CBD Rail Link. The MREP would provide links between the major new growth and employment areas of the metropolitan region.
As part of the MREP, the NWRL would serve the growing population in North West Sydney and provide public transport connections to a number of important centres including the Sydney CBD, North Sydney, Macquarie Park and Chatswood.
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[edit] Key features
- A 16 kilometre section in tunnel from the Northern Line to the proposed Burns Road Station
- A 4 kilometre section above ground from the proposed Burns Road Station to Rouse Hill
- A 3 kilometre quadruplication of the Northern Line between Epping and Beecroft Stations
- Six new stations at Franklin Road, Castle Hill, Hills Centre, Norwest, Burns Road and Rouse Hill
- An upgrade of Cheltenham Station
- A train stabling facility north west of Rouse Hill Town Centre
[edit] Possible future extension
There have been long term plans to extend the NWRL to meet the existing Richmond Line near Vineyard. However, the location of alignment is not finalised and further investigation and studies are required to be undertaken. The investigation would be subject to a separate environmental assessment.
[edit] External links
- North West Rail Link Homepage at NSW Department of Planning.
- Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation (TIDC)
[edit] See also
- CityRail
- List of Sydney railway stations
- List of suburban and commuter rail systems
- Sydney underground railways
- Southern Sydney Freight Line
- Public transport
- CBD Rail Link
- Epping to Chatswood Rail Link
