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<!--{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox public transit
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name        = Sydney Metro Northwest
| name        = Sydney Metro Northwest
| color      = {{Sydney Metro color|m1}}
| logo        =
| logo_width  =
| image      = New South Wales metropolitan rail area, with Sydney Metro Northwest alignment highlighted.svg
| image      = New South Wales metropolitan rail area, with Sydney Metro Northwest alignment highlighted.svg
| image_width = 300px
| image_width = 300px
| image_alt  = New South Wales metropolitan rail area, with Sydney Metro Northwest alignment highlighted
| caption    = Sydney metropolitan rail area, with Sydney Metro Northwest alignment highlighted in green
| caption    = Sydney metropolitan rail area, with Sydney Metro Northwest alignment highlighted in green
| type       = [[Rapid transit]] line
| mode       = Rapid transit
| system      = [[Sydney Metro]]
| system      = [[Sydney Metro]]
| status      = Under construction
| status      = Complete
| locale      = [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]
| numstops   = 13 (10 new stations)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sydneymetro.info/project-overview1 |title=Project Overview |work=Sydney Metro |publisher=Transport for NSW |date= |accessdate=13 July 2015}}</ref>
| stations   = 13 (10 new stations)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sydneymetro.info/project-overview1 |title=Project Overview |work=Sydney Metro |publisher=Transport for NSW |date= |accessdate=13 July 2015}}</ref>
| owner      = [[Transport for New South Wales]]
| linelength  = {{convert|36|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="Sydney Metro" />
| linelength  = {{convert|36|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="Sydney Metro" />
| event1label = Announced
| event1label = Announced
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| event3label = Re-announced
| event3label = Re-announced
| event3      = February 2010
| event3      = February 2010
| open        = Between April and May 2019 (projected)<ref>[https://www.9news.com.au/national/2019/01/14/19/00/news-sydney-north-west-metro-line-driverless-train North West Metro months from opening] 9 News 14 January 2019</ref>
| open        =  
| tracks      =  
| tracks      =  
| gauge      = {{Track gauge|sg|disp=1|allk=on}}
| gauge      = {{Track gauge|sg|disp=1|allk=on}}
| minradius  =  
| minradius  =  
| electrification= [[Overhead line|Overhead]]
| el          = Overhead line
| speed      =  
| speed      =  
| signalling  =
| signalling  =
| map        = {{Sydney Metro Northwest}}
}}
| map_state  = collapsed
}}-->


'''Sydney Metro Northwest''' is an under-construction [[rapid transit]] project in the north-western suburbs of [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]. Australia, connecting [[Rouse Hill, New South Wales|Rouse Hill]] to [[Chatswood, New South Wales|Chatswood]] via [[Castle Hill, New South Wales|Castle Hill]] and [[Epping, New South Wales|Epping]]. The project is managed by the New South Wales Government's transport authority, [[Transport for NSW]] and will form part of the [[Sydney Metro]] system.
'''Sydney Metro Northwest''' was a [[rapid transit]] project in the north-western suburbs of [[Sydney]], New South Wales, Australia. It covered the construction and conversion of a line from Rouse Hill to Chatswood via Castle Hill and Epping. The project was managed by the New South Wales Government's transport authority, [[Transport for NSW]] and the [[Sydney Metro]] Authority. The infrastructure forms <!--part of--> what is currently known as the [[Metro North West Line]]. The project opened on 26 May 2019.


Prior to June 2015, the project was known as the '''North West Rail Link''' (NWRL). Originally, "North West Rail Link" referred to the section between Epping and Rouse Hill. By June 2015, the name had been extended to cover the route of the original NWRL and the existing [[Epping to Chatswood railway line]], which is being converted to rapid transit standards. In June 2015, it was announced that the entire project would be renamed the Sydney Metro Northwest.<ref name="Sydney Metro">{{cite web|title=Funding secured: Sydney Metro to be a reality|url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/funding-secured-sydney-metro-be-reality|publisher=Transport for NSW|date=4 June 2015|accessdate=13 July 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623191517/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/funding-secured-sydney-metro-be-reality|archivedate=23 June 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
The project grew out of the '''North West Rail Link''' (NWRL); an on-again, off-again proposal to build a conventional railway line to serve Sydney's developing north-western suburbs. The project gained renewed impetus following the election of the Barry O'Farrell-led state government in 2011. Plans were changed to see the line built as a metro that would operate independently from the existing railway system. The existing [[Epping to Chatswood railway line]] would also be converted to metro standards as part of the project. The "North West Rail Link" name was then applied to the whole route from Rouse Hill to Chatswood. In June 2015, the NWRL project was renamed Sydney Metro Northwest.<ref name="Sydney Metro">{{cite web |title=Funding secured: Sydney Metro to be a reality |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/funding-secured-sydney-metro-be-reality |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=4 June 2015 |accessdate=13 July 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623191517/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/funding-secured-sydney-metro-be-reality |archivedate=23 June 2015|}}</ref>


==Project history==
==Overview==
Planning for the original North West Rail Link was a long and complex affair. The line was announced, cancelled and re-announced several times beginning in the 1990s. There were differing plans as to how the line would integrate into the rest of Sydney's transport system. The following proposals were endorsed at one time or another by the government:
Planning for the project was a long and complex affair. Beginning in the 1990s, plans to build the North West Rail Link were announced, cancelled and re-announced several times. There were differing plans as to how the project would integrate into the rest of Sydney's transport system. The following proposals were endorsed at one time or another by the government:


* Main line rail connecting to the [[Main North railway line, New South Wales|Main Northern line]] near Beecroft, with trains accessing the city via either Rhodes (using the Main Northern line) or Macquarie Park (using the Epping to Chatswood line).
* Main line rail connecting to the [[Main North railway line, New South Wales|Main Northern line]] near Beecroft, with trains accessing the city via either Rhodes (using the Main Northern line) or Macquarie Park (using the Epping to Chatswood line).
* Main line rail connecting directly to the Epping to Chatswood line at Epping, with trains accessing the city via Macquarie Park.
* Main line rail connecting directly to the Epping to Chatswood line at Epping, with trains accessing the city via Macquarie Park.
* Rapid transit line from the north west to the city via the [[Inner West]], dubbed the [[North West Metro]].
* Rapid transit line from the north west to the city via the [[wikipedia:Inner West|Inner West]], dubbed the [[North West Metro]].
* Rapid transit line connecting to a modified Epping to Chatswood line at Epping. Trains terminate at Chatswood, with an extension to the city proposed for the future. This was the design that was ultimately selected.
* Rapid transit line connecting to a modified Epping to Chatswood line at Epping. Trains would terminate at Chatswood, with [[Sydney Metro City & Southwest|an extension to the city]] proposed for the future. This was the design that was ultimately selected.
 
By June 2015, media releases from Transport for NSW used the name “North West Rail Link” to address the whole section between Rouse Hill and Chatswood and not just the unbuilt part.<ref>[http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/breaking-new-ground-sydneys-mega-project-new-station-design-revealed Breaking new ground on Sydney's mega-project as new station design revealed], ''Transport for NSW'', Retrieved 6 August 2015</ref> The North West Rail Link was then renamed Sydney Metro Northwest.<ref>[http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/funding-secured-sydney-metro-be-reality Funding secured: Sydney Metro to be a reality] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623191517/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/funding-secured-sydney-metro-be-reality |date=23 June 2015 }}, ''Transport for NSW'', Retrieved 6 August 2015</ref> It is to link to the rest of Sydney Metro at Chatswood.
 
==Construction==
There were three major contracts for the construction of the North West Rail Link.
 
In June 2013, the tunnelling contract was awarded to a joint venture involving Leighton Holdings owned Thiess and John Holland, and Dragados.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/getting-job-15-billion-tunnelling-contract-north-west-rail-link | title=Getting on with the job: $1.5 billion Tunnelling Contract on North West Rail Link | publisher=Transport for NSW | date=2013-06-25 | accessdate=2013-06-26}}</ref> In December 2013, the skytrain and surface construction contract was awarded to a joint venture between Italian firms Impregilo and Salini. The $340 million contract included a 270-metre cable-stayed bridge over Windsor Road at Rouse Hill.<ref name="Transport for NSW">{{cite press release | url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/north-west-rail-link-340-million-skytrain-contract-awarded | title=North West Rail Link $340 million skytrain contract awarded | publisher=Transport for NSW | date=2013-12-18 | accessdate=2014-01-02 | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192215/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/north-west-rail-link-340-million-skytrain-contract-awarded | archivedate=2 January 2014 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> A third and final major contract to build the stations, operate the rail link and build single deck trains was announced at the end of 2014.<ref name="Transport for NSW"/>


In November 2016 the John Holland Group, Dragados and Transport for NSW were awarded the 2016 NSW Premier's Award for Building Infrastructure for the 15&nbsp;km twin-tunnels between Bella Vista and Epping, which are the longest tunnels constructed in Australia. The completion of these tunnels in early 2016 marked the completion of the first stage of Sydney Metro Northwest. The NSW Premier's award recognises "infrastructure projects in the state that make a difference to the local community".<ref>{{cite news|title=Sydney Metro receives awards for excellence|work=Trenchless Australasia|url=https://www.trenchless-australasia.com/2016/11/28/sydney-metro-receives-awards-excellence/|date=28 November 2016|accessdate=28 November 2016}}</ref>
By June 2015, media releases from Transport for NSW used the name “North West Rail Link” to address the whole section between Rouse Hill and Chatswood and not just the unbuilt part.<ref>{{cite web |title=Breaking new ground on Sydney's mega-project as new station design revealed |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/breaking-new-ground-sydneys-mega-project-new-station-design-revealed |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=6 August 2015 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The North West Rail Link was then renamed Sydney Metro Northwest.<ref name="Sydney Metro" />


===Closure of the Epping to Chatswood railway line===
The new section of the project consists of twin tunnels between Epping and Bella Vista, at <!--{{convert|-->15.5<!--|-->km<!--|abbr=on}}--> long,<ref name=2011overviewreport/> were the longest rail tunnels in Sydney when built.<ref name="hillsshiretimes20110613">{{cite news |title=Drillers called for Northwest Rail Link |url=http://hills-shire-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/drillers-called-for-northwest-rail-link/ |accessdate=13 June 2011 |newspaper=Hills Shire Times |date=10 June 2011}}</ref> They were also the deepest tunnels in Sydney; <!--{{convert|-->67<!--|-->m<!--|abbr=on}}--> below ground at the deepest point (below the intersection of Pennant Hills Road and Castle Hill Road).<ref name="northerntimes20110706">{{cite news |last=Butson |first=Tyron |title=Northwest rail link tunnel deeper than harbour |url=http://northern-district-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/northwest-rail-link-tunnel-deeper-than-harbour/ |accessdate=10 July 2011 |newspaper=Northern District Times |date=6 July 2011}}</ref> Beyond Bella Vista station, the line runs above ground, mostly on a viaduct.
The [[Epping to Chatswood railway line]] opened in 2009 as a heavy rail line. During O'Farrell's time as premier, the government announced that the line would be closed and converted to rapid transit standards.


The Epping to Chatswood railway line closed from 30 September, 2018 for around seven months for conversion to rapid transit standards. A temporary bus service is replacing the trains during the closure.
The project included the construction or modification of the following stations:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://northwestrail.com.au/project/photos/1?photo_id=553.jpg |title=North West Rail Link |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=2013-06-07 |deadurl=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014165533/http://northwestrail.com.au/project/photos/1?photo_id=553.jpg |archivedate=14 October 2013 }}</ref>
 
===Completion===
On 14 January 2019 the first driverless Metro train completed the full journey between Tallawong and Chatswood.<ref>[https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/major-milestone-as-metro-northwest-completes-its-first-full-test Major Milestone As Metro Northwest Completes Its First Full Test] Transport for NSW 14 January 2019</ref>
 
==Line operation==
As of December 2011, the New South Wales Government had not ruled out the possibility of contracting the operation and management of the North West Rail Link to private enterprise as part of a public-private partnership. Les Wielinga, the Director-General of Transport for NSW, stated "We are focused on the longer term rail options. It's got to work as a single network, the whole network, but we are looking at private sector involvement in those as well. And we've got an open mind.".<ref>{{cite news|last=Saulwick|first=Jacob|title=Private operators in the mix for north-west rail link|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/private-operators-in-the-mix-for-northwest-rail-link-20111202-1obfu.html|accessdate=2 December 2011|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=3 December 2011|location=Sydney, New South Wales}}</ref>
 
In May 2013 it was announced that two consortia had been shortlisted to operate the line:<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/detention-company-could-run-new-rail-link-20130501-2it9w.html# Detention company could run new rail link] ''Sydney Morning Herald'' 2 May 2013</ref>
*Northwest Rapid Transit consisting of John Holland, Leighton Contractors, MTR Corporation, Plenary Group and UGL Rail
*TransForm consisting of Bombardier Transportation, John Laing Investments, Macquarie Capital, McConnell Dowell, Serco and SNC-Lavalin Capital
 
The Northwest Rapid Transit consortium was awarded the contract in June 2014.<ref>[http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/major-milestones-reached-north-west-rail-link-preferred-operator-selected Major milestones reached on North West Rail Link as preferred operator selected] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006103450/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/major-milestones-reached-north-west-rail-link-preferred-operator-selected |date=6 October 2014 }}, ''Transport for New South Wales'', Retrieved 24 June 2014</ref>
 
==Route==
The project includes the following stations:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://northwestrail.com.au/project/photos/1?photo_id=553.jpg |title=North West Rail Link |publisher=Transport for New South Wales |accessdate=2013-06-07 |deadurl=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014165533/http://northwestrail.com.au/project/photos/1?photo_id=553.jpg |archivedate=14 October 2013 }}</ref>


* [[Chatswood station (Sydney)|Chatswood]]
* [[Chatswood station (Sydney)|Chatswood]]
Line 89: Line 56:
* [[Tallawong station (Sydney)|Tallawong]]
* [[Tallawong station (Sydney)|Tallawong]]


Tallawong and Cherrybrook stations are being built as stations in a cutting, open to the sky, but below ground level while Castle Hill, Hills Showground and Norwest stations will be underground, whereas Kellyville and Rouse Hill will be above ground. The twin tunnels between Epping and Kellyville, at <!--{{convert|-->15.5<!--|-->km<!--|abbr=on}}--> long,<ref name=2011overviewreport/> will be the longest rail tunnels in Sydney when they are built.<ref name=hillsshiretimes20110613>{{cite news|title=Drillers called for Northwest Rail Link|url=http://hills-shire-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/drillers-called-for-northwest-rail-link/|accessdate=13 June 2011|newspaper=Hills Shire Times|date=10 June 2011|location=Castle Hill, New South Wales}}</ref> They will also be the deepest tunnels in Sydney; <!--{{convert|-->67<!--|-->m<!--|abbr=on}}--> below ground at the deepest point (below the intersection of Pennant Hills Road and Castle Hill Road).<ref name="northerntimes20110706">{{cite news|last=Butson|first=Tyron|title=Northwest rail link tunnel deeper than harbour|url=http://northern-district-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/northwest-rail-link-tunnel-deeper-than-harbour/|accessdate=10 July 2011|newspaper=Northern District Times|date=6 July 2011}}</ref> Most of the tunnel was bored, although the section at Kellyville was constructed using cut-and-cover techniques.<ref name="northerntimes20110706"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Rail link takes shape in Sydney's north-west|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/27/3228523.htm|accessdate=13 June 2011|newspaper=ABC News|date=27 May 2011}}</ref> Major tunnelling began in 2014.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/northwest-rail-link-tunnel-carved-out-by-boring-elizabeth-20141118-11p1z8.html North-west rail link tunnel carved out by boring Elizabeth], ''Sydney Morning Herald'', Published 18 November 2014, Retrieved 5 August 2015</ref>
==Project history==
===1998-2008: A conventional railway===
The North West Rail Link was originally announced in November 1998 as part of an $2.6 billion package of eight major rail projects due for construction by 2010 dubbed ''Action for Transport 2010''.<ref name="scully19981123">{{cite press release |title=Eight major rail projects for Sydney |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/1998/eight-major-rail.html |archive-url=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/49629/20050503-0000/www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/1998/eight-major-rail.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=3 May 2005 |publisher=New South Wales Government |date=23 November 1998 |accessdate=8 July 2011}}</ref> At the time, the proposal was for a $360 million heavy rail connection from Epping to Castle Hill, with potential extension to Mungerie Park and Rouse Hill after 2010.


A new train stabling yard was constructed at in Rouse Hill, with room for 16 train sets. 3,000 new parking spaces will be provided across proposed carparks at Cherrybrook, Hills Showground and Kellyville stations.<ref name=2011overviewreport/>
News reports from March 2001 suggested cost estimates for the ''Action for Transport 2010'' plan had blown out so much that the scope of the plan was now reduced to an Epping to Chatswood rail link due for completion in 2008. The completion date for the Parramatta to Epping section of the original Parramatta to Chatswood link was unspecified, which meant that the North West rail link proposal was effectively deferred indefinitely as it would not be built until the Parramatta to Chatswood link was completed.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Castle Hill rail line becomes the missing link |url=http://www.michaelrichardson.com.au/Mediareleases/raillinkpr.PDF |accessdate=8 July 2011 |date=6 March 2001 |publisher=Michael Richardson MP |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/34001/20030317-0000/www.michaelrichardson.com.au/Mediareleases/raillinkpr.PDF |archivedate=17 March 2003 }}</ref>


===Extension to central Sydney===
A 2002 NSW Treasury report mentioned the North West rail link, and that it was "under development or investigation", but no estimate of cost or start date were provided.<ref>{{cite report |title=State Infrastructure Strategic Plan: Emerging PFP Opportunities and Major Project Proposals Over $100 million |url=http://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/wwg/pdf/pfp2002.pdf |publisher=New South Wales Government |year=2002 |accessdate=9 July 2011 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/50066/20050524-0000/www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/wwg/pdf/pfp2002.pdf |archivedate=24 May 2005}}</ref> In March 2002 a report detailing the preferred route alignment was released.<ref name="scully20020310">{{cite press release |title=Release of preferred route for the proposed rail link for Sydney's north west |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/2002/10-03-02-nwrl-min.html |archive-url=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/49629/20050503-0000/www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/2002/10-03-02-nwrl-min.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=3 May 2005 |publisher=New South Wales Government |date=10 March 2002 |accessdate=8 July 2011}}</ref> The <!--{{convert|-->19<!--|-->km<!--|abbr=on}}--> route was proposed to run from Epping to Mungerie Park at Rouse Hill via Castle Hill. The cost of construction was estimated at $1.4 billion. <!--Public consultation on the proposal was conducted over eight weeks from 10 March to 3 May 2002.--><ref name="scully20021103"/><ref>{{cite report |title=Transport NSW Annual Report 2002 |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/pubs_legal/annual_reports/ar2002-editorial.pdf |publisher=Transport NSW |year=2002 |accessdate=8 July 2011 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/49629/20050503-0000/www.transport.nsw.gov.au/pubs_legal/annual_reports/ar2002-editorial.pdf |archivedate=3 May 2005}}</ref> On 3 October 2002, the Minister announced a feasibility study for an extension of the proposed route beyond Rouse Hill to meet the existing Richmond railway line.<ref name="scully20021103">{{cite press release |title=New studies to progress North West rail link |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/2002/03-10-02-nwrl.html |archive-url=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/49629/20050503-0000/www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/2002/03-10-02-nwrl.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=3 May 2005 |publisher=New South Wales Government |date=3 October 2002 |accessdate=8 July 2011}}</ref> Various studies in support of the Epping to Castle Hill link were made during 2003; most of this work related to the proposed alignment of the route.<ref>{{cite report |title=Ministry of Transport Annual Report 2003 |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/pubs_legal/annual_reports/annual-report-03.pdf |year=2003 |accessdate=8 July 2011 |publisher=NSW Ministry of Transport |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/49629/20050503-0000/www.transport.nsw.gov.au/pubs_legal/annual_reports/annual-report-03.pdf |archivedate=3 May 2005}}</ref> It was revealed in August 2003 that RailCorp, the operator of Sydney's rail network, was considering a new $6 billion rail link that would connect Hornsby with Campbelltown via the Sydney CBD and that the North West rail link could form an extension to this route.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kerr |first=Joseph |title=The fast track - $6bn plan to unlock the rail grid |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/12/1060588333992.html |accessdate=9 July 2011 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=12 August 2003 |archiveurl=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/21852/20051208-0000/www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/12/1060588333992.html |archivedate=8 December 2005}}</ref>
{{main|Sydney Metro City & Southwest}}
The Sydney Metro City & Southwest project will extend the line to through the [[Sydney central business district]] and on to Bankstown by building a tunnel from just south of Chatswood station via [[North Sydney, New South Wales|North Sydney]] and under the Sydney Harbour towards [[Central station (Sydney)|Central]] station and [[Sydenham station (Sydney)|Sydenham]], before joining the newly converted railway line towards [[Bankstown station (Sydney)|Bankstown]].
 
===Potential western extensions===
Previously there were long term plans to extend the proposed heavy-rail North West Rail Link to meet the existing [[Richmond railway line]] near [[Vineyard, New South Wales|Vineyard]].<ref>North West Metro Stakeholder Engagement Briefing and Consultation Forum [http://www.sydlink.com.au/webdata/resources/files/Outcomes_report_(locked).pdf Outcomes Report]. 15 August 2008</ref> However, the location of the alignments were never finalised and further investigation and studies would have been required.
 
State government documents from May 2011 suggested an intention to eventually extend the line to meet the Richmond line near [[Schofields station (Sydney)|Schofields]], two stations south of Vineyard.<ref name="DT110527"/> A Transport Department report from June of that year suggested an extension of the North West Rail Link beyond Rouse Hill to meet the Richmond line at Schofields, Riverstone, or beyond.<ref>{{cite news|last=Haynes|first=Rhys|title=Plans to extend North West rail link|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/plans-to-extend-north-west-rail-link/story-e6freuy9-1226078050184|accessdate=7 July 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=20 June 2011}}</ref>
 
A scoping study into rail investment to service [[Western Sydney]] and the proposed [[Western Sydney Airport]] was announced by the New South Wales and Australian governments in November 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Western Sydney Airport|url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects-western-sydney-airport|publisher=Transport for NSW|accessdate=18 February 2016|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302024021/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects-western-sydney-airport|archivedate=2 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The study's final report was released in March 2018 and included a proposal to extend the Sydney Metro Northwest from Tallawong to Schofields, where it would connect with a proposed "[[Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport|North-South Link]]" serving the airport and continuing on to Macarthur.<ref>{{cite web|title=Western Sydney Rail Needs Scoping Study Outcomes Report|url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2018/wsrnsoutcome-report.pdf|publisher=Australian Government and New South Wales Government|accessdate=7 March 2018|page=59|date=March 2018}}</ref>
 
==Previous proposals==
===1998 (original) proposal===
The North West Rail Link was originally announced in November 1998 as part of an $2.6 billion package of eight major rail projects due for construction by 2010 dubbed Action for Transport 2010.<ref name="scully19981123">{{cite press release |title=Eight major rail projects for Sydney |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/1998/eight-major-rail.html |archive-url=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/49629/20050503-0000/www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/1998/eight-major-rail.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=3 May 2005 |publisher=Carl Scully MP |date=23 November 1998 |accessdate=8 July 2011}}</ref> At the time, the proposal was for a $360 million heavy rail connection from Epping to Castle Hill, with potential extension to Mungerie Park and Rouse Hill after 2010.
 
News reports from March 2001 suggested that cost estimates for the Action for Transport 2010 plan had blown out so much that the scope of the plan was now reduced to an Epping to Chatswood rail link due for completion in 2008. The completion date for the Parramatta to Epping section of the original Parramatta to Chatswood link was unspecified, which meant that the North West rail link proposal was effectively deferred indefinitely — it would not be built until the Parramatta to Chatswood link was completed.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Castle Hill rail line becomes the missing link |url=http://www.michaelrichardson.com.au/Mediareleases/raillinkpr.PDF |accessdate=8 July 2011 |date=6 March 2001 |publisher=Michael Richardson MP |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/34001/20030317-0000/www.michaelrichardson.com.au/Mediareleases/raillinkpr.PDF |archivedate=17 March 2003 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
 
A 2002 NSW Treasury report mentioned the North West rail link, and that it was "under development or investigation", but no estimate of cost or start date were provided.<ref>{{cite report |title=State Infrastructure Strategic Plan: Emerging PFP Opportunities and Major Project Proposals Over $100 million |url=http://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/wwg/pdf/pfp2002.pdf |publisher=New South Wales Government |year=2002 |accessdate=9 July 2011 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/50066/20050524-0000/www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/wwg/pdf/pfp2002.pdf |archivedate=24 May 2005 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In March 2002 a report detailing the preferred route alignment was released.<ref name="scully20020310">{{cite press release |title=Release of preferred route for the proposed rail link for Sydney's north west |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/2002/10-03-02-nwrl-min.html |archive-url=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/49629/20050503-0000/www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/2002/10-03-02-nwrl-min.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=3 May 2005 |publisher=Carl Scully MP |date=10 March 2002 |accessdate=8 July 2011}}</ref> The <!--{{convert|-->19<!--|-->km<!--|abbr=on}}--> route was proposed to run from Epping to Mungerie Park at Rouse Hill via Castle Hill. The cost of construction was estimated at $1.4 billion. <!--Public consultation on the proposal was conducted over eight weeks from 10 March to 3 May 2002.--><ref name="scully20021103"/><ref>{{cite report |title=Transport NSW Annual Report 2002 |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/pubs_legal/annual_reports/ar2002-editorial.pdf |publisher=Transport NSW |year=2002 |accessdate=8 July 2011 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/49629/20050503-0000/www.transport.nsw.gov.au/pubs_legal/annual_reports/ar2002-editorial.pdf |archivedate=3 May 2005 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 3 October 2002, the Minister announced a feasibility study for an extension of the proposed route beyond Rouse Hill to meet the existing Richmond railway line.<ref name="scully20021103">{{cite press release |title=New studies to progress North West rail link |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/2002/03-10-02-nwrl.html |archive-url=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/49629/20050503-0000/www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/2002/03-10-02-nwrl.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=3 May 2005 |publisher=Carl Scully MP |date=3 October 2002 |accessdate=8 July 2011}}</ref> Various studies in support of the Epping to Castle Hill link were made during 2003; most of this work related to the proposed alignment of the route.<ref>{{cite report |title=Ministry of Transport Annual Report 2003 |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/pubs_legal/annual_reports/annual-report-03.pdf |year=2003 |accessdate=8 July 2011 |publisher=NSW Ministry of Transport |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/49629/20050503-0000/www.transport.nsw.gov.au/pubs_legal/annual_reports/annual-report-03.pdf |archivedate=3 May 2005 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It was revealed in August 2003 that RailCorp was considering a new $6 billion rail link that would connect Hornsby with Campbelltown via the Sydney CBD and that the North West rail link could form an extension to this route.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kerr|first=Joseph|title=The fast track - $6bn plan to unlock the rail grid|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/12/1060588333992.html|accessdate=9 July 2011|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=12 August 2003|archiveurl=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/21852/20051208-0000/www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/12/1060588333992.html |archivedate=8 December 2005}}</ref>


The New South Wales Government announced the Metropolitan Rail Expansion Plan (MREP) in June 2005, an $8 billion plan to add three new railway lines to the suburban network over the following 15 years. The North West Rail Link was one of the proposed lines, the other two being the [[South West railway line, Sydney|South West Rail Link]] and the CBD Rail Link.<ref name=2006projectapplication>{{cite report |title=North West Rail Link Project Application and Preliminary Environmental Assessment |url=https://majorprojects.affinitylive.com/public/7825b547d75de2a6fe510131a56918/Preliminary%20Assessment.pdf |date=April 2006 |accessdate=22 July 2011 |publisher=Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation |author=Sinclair Knight Merz}}</ref> In 2005 the schedule was revised and a new completion date of 2017 was set.<ref name=2011overviewreport/> In November 2006, the government announced a staged plan for the North West Rail Link with train services to Castle Hill and Hills Centre in 2015, two years ahead of the original completion date of 2017.
The New South Wales Government announced the Metropolitan Rail Expansion Plan (MREP) in June 2005, an $8 billion plan to add three new railway lines to the suburban network over the following 15 years. The North West Rail Link was one of the proposed lines, the other two being the [[South West railway line, Sydney|South West Rail Link]] and the CBD Rail Link.<ref name=2006projectapplication>{{cite report |title=North West Rail Link Project Application and Preliminary Environmental Assessment |url=https://majorprojects.affinitylive.com/public/7825b547d75de2a6fe510131a56918/Preliminary%20Assessment.pdf |date=April 2006 |accessdate=22 July 2011 |publisher=Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation |author=Sinclair Knight Merz}}</ref> In 2005 the schedule was revised and a new completion date of 2017 was set.<ref name=2011overviewreport/> In November 2006, the government announced a staged plan for the North West Rail Link with train services to Castle Hill and Hills Centre in 2015, two years ahead of the original completion date of 2017.


====Proposed route====
=====Proposed route=====
<!--[[File:NWRL.png|thumb|350px|right|Diagram of the North West Rail Link. The line is marked in black.]]-->
<!--[[File:NWRL.png|thumb|350px|right|Diagram of the North West Rail Link. The line is marked in black.]]-->
The original North West Rail Link route proposal was planned to be <!--{{convert|-->22<!--|-->km<!--|abbr=on}}--> in length, consisting of a <!--{{convert|-->16<!--|-->km<!--|abbr=on}}--> underground section from Epping to the proposed Burns Road Station, followed by a <!--{{convert|-->4<!--|-->km<!--|abbr=on}}--> section above ground from Burns Road Station (now Kellyville Station) to Rouse Hill. A train stabling facility was proposed to the north west of Rouse Hill Town Centre.
The original North West Rail Link route proposal was planned to be <!--{{convert|-->22<!--|-->km<!--|abbr=on}}--> in length, consisting of a <!--{{convert|-->16<!--|-->km<!--|abbr=on}}--> underground section from Epping to the proposed Burns Road Station, followed by a <!--{{convert|-->4<!--|-->km<!--|abbr=on}}--> section above ground from Burns Road Station (now Kellyville Station) to Rouse Hill. A train stabling facility was proposed to the north west of Rouse Hill Town Centre.


The latest version of the original proposal proposed to connect the North West Rail Link alignment to the Epping to Chatswood railway line via a tunnel between Epping and Franklin Road (now Cherrybrook) stations, whereas the earliest version of the original proposal had the route alignment connect with the existing [[Main Northern railway line, New South Wales|Main Northern railway line]] north of Cheltenham.<ref name="PPR">New South Wales Government, ''[http://www.tidc.nsw.gov.au/Documents/1155_PPRVol1.pdf TIDC North West Rail Link - Preferred Project Report Volume 1 May 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831223012/http://www.tidc.nsw.gov.au/Documents/1155_PPRVol1.pdf |date=31 August 2007 }}''. Retrieved 18 March 2008.</ref> The direct route proposed using the stub tunnels originally built for the deferred Parramatta Rail Link between [[Parramatta station (Sydney)|Parramatta]] and [[Epping station (Sydney)|Epping]].<ref name="PPR"/> New stub tunnels for the Parramatta Rail Link were to be constructed so that if the Epping to Parramatta line were completed, trains from Parramatta would have also been able to link into the Epping-Chatswood Line.<ref name="PPR"/>
The latest version of the original proposal proposed to connect the North West Rail Link alignment to the Epping to Chatswood railway line via a tunnel between Epping and Franklin Road (now Cherrybrook) stations, whereas the earliest version of the original proposal had the route alignment connect with the existing [[Main Northern railway line, New South Wales|Main Northern railway line]] north of Cheltenham.<ref name="PPR">{{cite web |title=North West Rail Link - Preferred Project Report Volume 1 |url=http://www.tidc.nsw.gov.au/Documents/1155_PPRVol1.pdf |publisher=Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation |date=May 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831223012/http://www.tidc.nsw.gov.au/Documents/1155_PPRVol1.pdf |archivedate=31 August 2007}}</ref> The direct route proposed using the stub tunnels originally built for the deferred Parramatta Rail Link between Parramatta and Epping.<ref name="PPR"/> New stub tunnels for the Parramatta Rail Link were to be constructed so that if the Epping to Parramatta line were completed, trains from Parramatta would have also been able to link into the Epping-Chatswood Line.<ref name="PPR"/>


Six new stations were proposed along the North West Rail Link:
Six new stations were proposed:
* Cherrybrook (Franklin Road)
* Franklin Road
* Castle Hill
* Castle Hill
* Hills Centre
* Hills Centre
* Norwest
* Norwest
* Kellyville (Burns Road)
* Burns Road
* Rouse Hill
* Rouse Hill


The line was scheduled to open in two stages: the first stage from Epping to Hills Centre Station was scheduled for completion by 2015 (originally 2017), and the second stage from Hills Centre to Rouse Hill Station was scheduled for completion by 2017. Construction was scheduled to begin in 2010. The original proposal called for off-peak rail service of four trains per hour, with six to eight trains per hour in peak periods. The route was expected to carry six to eight million passengers per year.
The line was scheduled to open in two stages: the first stage from Epping to Hills Centre Station was scheduled for completion by 2015 (originally 2017), and the second stage from Hills Centre to Rouse Hill Station was scheduled for completion by 2017. Construction was scheduled to begin in 2010. The original proposal called for off-peak rail service of four trains per hour, with six to eight trains per hour in peak periods. The route was expected to carry six to eight million passengers per year.


The line was originally part of the Metropolitan Rail Expansion Program (MREP) proposed by the Carr Government in 2005.<ref name="smh20080226">{{cite news|last=Besser|first=Linton|title=Bye heavy rail, now for a north-west metro|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bye-heavy-rail-now-for-a-northwest-metro/2008/02/25/1203788248514.html|accessdate=7 June 2011|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=26 February 2008}}</ref> The MREP included the [[South West Rail Link]], North West Rail Link and the [[Redfern to Chatswood railway line|CBD Rail Link]] and was intended to augment transport links between the major new growth and employment areas of the Sydney metropolitan region. The route proposal was abandoned in 2008 by the Iemma Government in favour of the development of a metro-style rapid transit system.<ref name="smh20080226"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Besser|first=Linton|title=Great idea, but white elephants trumpet|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/great-idea-but-white-elephants-trumpet/2008/03/18/1205602385118.html|accessdate=7 June 2011|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 March 2008}}</ref>
The line formed part of the Metropolitan Rail Expansion Program (MREP) proposed by the Carr Government in 2005.<ref name="smh20080226">{{cite news |last=Besser |first=Linton |title=Bye heavy rail, now for a north-west metro |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bye-heavy-rail-now-for-a-northwest-metro/2008/02/25/1203788248514.html |accessdate=7 June 2011 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=26 February 2008}}</ref> The MREP included the [[South West Rail Link]], North West Rail Link and the [[Redfern to Chatswood railway line|CBD Rail Link]] and was intended to augment transport links between the major new growth and employment areas of the Sydney metropolitan region. The route proposal was abandoned in 2008 by the Iemma Government in favour of the development of a metro-style rapid transit system.<ref name="smh20080226"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Besser |first=Linton |title=Great idea, but white elephants trumpet |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/great-idea-but-white-elephants-trumpet/2008/03/18/1205602385118.html |accessdate=7 June 2011 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=19 March 2008}}</ref>


===Cancellation and North West Metro===
===2008-2010: First metro proposal (via Gladesville)===
{{Main|Sydney Metro (2008 proposal)}}
{{Main|Sydney Metro (2008 proposal)}}
In March 2008, the Government changed the project to a [[rapid transit|metro]] line dubbed the [[North West Metro]] and expanded the line to run all the way to the Sydney CBD via the suburbs of [[Ryde, New South Wales|Ryde]], [[Gladesville, New South Wales|Gladesville]], [[Drummoyne, New South Wales|Drummoyne]] and [[Pyrmont, New South Wales|Pyrmont]]. On 23 October 2008, the NSW Government announced the [[CBD Metro]] instead, a shortened version of the North West Metro which would run from [[Rozelle]] to [[Central railway station, Sydney|Central station]], and the project was submitted to [[Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (Australia)|Infrastructure Australia]] for funding. It was announced that North West Metro may be extended to link from Rozelle to [[Epping railway station, Sydney|Epping]] and [[Macquarie Park railway station|Macquarie Park]] in the future if the CBD Metro was built. Then, on 31 October 2008, the NSW Government announced that the North West Metro would be indefinitely deferred due to budgetary cuts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Benson|first=Simon|title=Northwest Metro rail link officially shelved|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/northwest-metro-rail-disaster/story-e6freuzi-1111117906366|accessdate=6 April 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=31 October 2008|location=Sydney, New South Wales}}</ref>
In March 2008, the Government changed the project to a [[rapid transit|metro]] line dubbed the [[North West Metro]] and expanded the line to run all the way to the Sydney CBD via the suburbs of Ryde, Gladesville, Drummoyne and Pyrmont. By October, the New South Wales Government acknowledged it would not have the funds to complete the North West Metro and announced the [[CBD Metro]] instead. This was a greatly shortened version of the North West Metro which would run from Rozelle to Central station. The CBD Metro project was submitted to the Australian Government body Infrastructure Australia for funding. The government stated the North West Metro could be extended to link from Rozelle to Epping and Macquarie Park in the future if the CBD Metro was built, although the North West Metro was indefinitely deferred due to budgetary cuts.<ref>{{cite news |last=Benson |first=Simon |title=Northwest Metro rail link officially shelved |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/northwest-metro-rail-disaster/story-e6freuzi-1111117906366 |accessdate=6 April 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=31 October 2008}}</ref>


===Resumption of original proposal===
===2010-2019: Switch back to a conventional railway and second metro proposal===
On 21 February 2010, two and a half months after [[Kristina Keneally]] had become Premier, the NSW Government revealed the cancellation of the Sydney Metro project in its Metropolitan Transport Plan<ref>{{cite web|last=NSW Government|title=Metropolitan Transport Plan: Connecting the City of Cities|url=http://www.nsw.gov.au/metropolitantransportplan|accessdate=7 April 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406101341/http://www.nsw.gov.au/metropolitantransportplan|archivedate=6 April 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Sydney Metro|title=2010 Annual Report|year=2010|publisher=NSW Government|url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/file/Sydney%20Metro%202010%20Annual%20Report.pdf|accessdate=7 April 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404235324/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/file/Sydney%20Metro%202010%20Annual%20Report.pdf|archivedate=4 April 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and returned to the North West Rail Link proposal. At the time, construction was anticipated to begin in 2017. In August 2010 the State Government applied to [[Infrastructure Australia]] for funding to accelerate the delivery of the project, but no funding was granted.<ref name=2011overviewreport/>
On 21 February 2010, two and a half months after Kristina Keneally had become Premier, the New South Wales Government published its ''Metropolitan Transport Plan''. This saw a return to the older North West Rail Link proposal and the cancellation of the entire Sydney Metro project.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=NSW Government |title=Metropolitan Transport Plan: Connecting the City of Cities |url=http://www.nsw.gov.au/metropolitantransportplan |accessdate=7 April 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406101341/http://www.nsw.gov.au/metropolitantransportplan |archivedate=6 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Sydney Metro |title=2010 Annual Report |year=2010 |publisher=NSW Government |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/file/Sydney%20Metro%202010%20Annual%20Report.pdf |accessdate=7 April 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404235324/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/file/Sydney%20Metro%202010%20Annual%20Report.pdf |archivedate=4 April 2011}}</ref> At the time, construction was anticipated to begin in 2017. In August 2010 the State Government applied to Infrastructure Australia for funding to accelerate the delivery of the project, but no funding was granted.<ref name=2011overviewreport/>


===2011 proposal===
Starting construction on the North West Rail Link was a key promise made by then-Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell in the run up to the New South Wales state election held in March 2011.<ref>{{cite news |work=ABC News |title=O'Farrell hails new political landscape |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/27/3174848.htm |accessdate=6 April 2011 |date=27 March 2011}}</ref> When the O'Farrell Government took office, the line was proposed to form part of the mainline network and would be served by double deck rolling stock, like other rail lines in Sydney. The route proposal put forward in May 2011 by the government was a <!--{{convert|-->23<!--|-->km<!--|adj=on}}--> rail route with six new stations, and the possibility of two more to be built at point in the future.<ref name=2011overviewreport>{{cite report |title=North West Rail Link Project Overview |url=http://northwestrail.com.au/document/show/18 |year=2011 |publisher=NSW Transport |accessdate=22 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Let's go forth by North West rail |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/lets-go-forth-by-north-west-rail/story-e6freuzi-1226063709238 |accessdate=26 May 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 May 2011 |first1=Rhys |last1=Haynes |first2=Andrew |last2=Clennell}}</ref> A report released in July 2011 indicated that upon opening of the line, four to six trains per hour would connect Rouse Hill station with Chatswood station via Epping.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haynes |first=Rhys |title=New northwest rail link more a shuttle |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/new-northwest-rail-link-more-a-shuttle/story-e6freuzi-1226088398974 |accessdate=7 July 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=6 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="smh20110708">{{cite news |last=Saulwick |first=Jacob |title=Fears of too few services on north-west rail link |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fears-of-too-few-services-on-northwest-rail-link-20110707-1h4ug.html |accessdate=8 July 2011 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=8 July 2011}}</ref> Of these, only as few as 2 trains per hour would be able to continue from Chatswood to the CBD due to capacity constraints on the [[North Shore railway line]].<ref name="smh20110211">{{cite news |last=Saulwick |first=Jacob |title=New north-west line might cause cuts to others, says advice |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/state-election-2011/new-northwest-line-might-cause-cuts-to-others-says-rail-advice-20110215-1av7l.html |accessdate=8 July 2011 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=16 February 2011}}</ref>
Following his victory in the 2011 New South Wales state election, newly elected Premier [[Barry O'Farrell]] announced that his first order of business would be to start construction on the North West Rail Link.<ref>{{cite web|last=ABC News|title=O'Farrell hails new political landscape|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/27/3174848.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=6 April 2011|date=27 March 2011}}</ref>


When the O'Farrell Government took office, it proposed that the line would form part of the mainline network and would be served by double deck rolling stock, like other rail lines in Sydney. A report released in July 2011 indicated that upon opening of the line, four to six trains per hour would connect Rouse Hill station with Chatswood station via Epping.<ref>{{cite news|last=Haynes|first=Rhys|title=New northwest rail link more a shuttle|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/new-northwest-rail-link-more-a-shuttle/story-e6freuzi-1226088398974|accessdate=7 July 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=6 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="smh20110708">{{cite news|last=Saulwick|first=Jacob|title=Fears of too few services on north-west rail link|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fears-of-too-few-services-on-northwest-rail-link-20110707-1h4ug.html|accessdate=8 July 2011|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=8 July 2011}}</ref> Of these, only as few as 2 trains per hour would be able to continue from Chatswood to the CBD due to capacity constraints on the [[North Shore railway line|North Shore line]].<ref name="smh20110211">{{cite news|last=Saulwick|first=Jacob|title=New north-west line might cause cuts to others, says advice|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/state-election-2011/new-northwest-line-might-cause-cuts-to-others-says-rail-advice-20110215-1av7l.html|accessdate=8 July 2011|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 February 2011}}</ref>
The design was changed to a driverless rapid transit line, featuring more frequent, lower capacity single deck trains.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trains on new Sydney line to be driverless |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-06/trains-on-new-sydney-line-to-be-driverless/4738702 |newspaper=ABC News |date=7 June 2013 |accessdate=30 August 2013}}</ref> All trains would terminate at Chatswood, with passengers required to change to conventional trains to continue to the city. This decision was controversial. Criticism was made that double-deck trains would permit more seated passengers to be carried per hour, and that passengers on long trips prefer to be seated.<!--CHECK REF--><ref name="SMH_study">{{cite web |title=Independent Public Inquiry, Appendix 3 by Alex Wardrop, Fitness for Duty: The Capabilities of double and single deck rolling stock |url=http://www.catalyst.com.au/Public_files/F2_Public_Transport_Inquiry_Final_Report_26May2010_full_report.pdf |publisher= |date= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> Transport for NSW justified the decision by saying that longitudinal seating, the form of seating on most metro trains around the world, allows for ease of access for transient "hop-on, hop-off" passengers, and particularly for those with prams or trolleys. In the instance of journeys in which many people will be hopping on and off, longitudinal seating allows for people to stand and exit from their seat easily, as well as providing more standing or walking room along the carriage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Early community consultation |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=July 2015 |url=https://www.sydneymetro.info/home/documents/29348/download}}</ref>{{deadlink|date=January 2019}}


The design was changed to a driverless rapid transit line, featuring more frequent, lower capacity single deck trains.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trains on new Sydney line to be driverless |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-06/trains-on-new-sydney-line-to-be-driverless/4738702 |newspaper=ABC News |date=7 June 2013|accessdate=30 August 2013}}</ref> All trains would terminate at Chatswood, with passengers required to change to North Shore line trains to continue to the city.
=====Attempts to secure Federal funding=====
The Gillard Federal Government refused to commit any funding to the North West Rail Link because it favoured completion of the Parramatta to Epping section of the Parramatta to Chatswood route.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clennell |first=Andrew |title=Barry O'Farrell offers Julia Gillard a rail switch |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/barry-ofarrell-offers-julia-gillard-a-rail-switch/story-e6freuzi-1226090184335 |accessdate=25 July 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=8 July 2011}}</ref> The refusal dated back to a promise made during the 2010 Federal election campaign, when Gillard's Australian Labor Party announced the federal government would fund 80 per cent ($2.1 billion) of the construction of the Parramatta to Epping rail link if it were re-elected at the 2010 Australian federal election.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jordan |first=Bev |title=Epping-Parramatta link panned |url=http://rouse-hill-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/epping-parramatta-link-panned/ |accessdate=25 July 2011 |newspaper=Rouse Hill Times |date=11 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Coorey |first=Phillip |title=Gillard's $2b transport fix |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election/gillards-2b-transport-fix-20100810-11y71.html |accessdate=25 July 2011 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=11 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Farr |first=Malcolm |title=All aboard the PM's Parramatta express |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/election/all-aboard-the-pms-parramatta-express/story-fn5zm695-1225903657259 |accessdate=25 July 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=11 August 2010}}</ref>


The route proposal put forward in May 2011 by the State Government was a <!--{{convert|-->23<!--|-->km<!--|adj=on}}--> rail route with six new stations, and the possibility of two more to be built at point in the future.<ref name=2011overviewreport>{{cite report |title=North West Rail Link Project Overview |url=http://northwestrail.com.au/document/show/18 |year=2011 |publisher=NSW Transport |accessdate=22 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="DT110527">{{cite news|title=Let's go forth by North West rail|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/lets-go-forth-by-north-west-rail/story-e6freuzi-1226063709238|accessdate=26 May 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=27 May 2011|author=Rhys Haynes|author2=Andrew Clennell}}</ref>
New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell asked Gillard to divert the federal funds allocated to the Parramatta to Epping rail link to the North West Rail Link project.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sikora |first=Kate |title=Barry O'Farrell ready to rail at Julia Gillard for the North West Rail Link |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/barry-ofarrell-ready-to-rail-at-julia-gillard-for-the-north-west-rail-link/story-e6freuzi-1226036867572 |accessdate=26 July 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=11 April 2011}}</ref> Despite this, the Federal Government did not allocate any funds to the North West Rail Link in the 2011 Budget.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haynes |first=Rhys |title=Alternate route to North West Rail Link has been rejected by the State Government |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/alternate-route-to-north-west-rail-link-has-been-rejected-by-the-state-government/story-e6freuy9-1226056317692 |accessdate=26 July 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=16 May 2011}}</ref> At least part of the reason for the snub, apart from the Federal Government's transport priorities, is the fact that the O'Farrell State Government did not submit a project proposal for the North West Rail Link to Infrastructure Australia.<ref>{{cite news |last=Benson |first=Simon |title=Northwest link plan misses first stop |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/northwest-link-plan-misses-first-stop/story-fn6b3v4f-1226087721389 |accessdate=26 July 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=5 July 2011}}</ref>


====Impasse over Federal funding====
Results of a cost-benefit analysis released in November 2011 indicated that the North West Rail Link would be three times more beneficial to New South Wales than the Parramatta to Epping extension.<ref>{{cite news |last=Willoughby |first=Sally |title=North West Rail Link: Transport Study |url=http://www.hillsnews.com.au/news/local/news/general/north-west-rail-link-transport-study/2373601.aspx |accessdate=2 December 2011 |newspaper=Hills News |date=29 November 2011}}</ref> The report also indicated that the cost of constructing the Parramatta–Epping line would cost $1.78 billion more than initially expected.
The Gillard Federal Government refused to commit any funding to the North West Rail Link because it favoured completion of the Parramatta to Epping section of the Parramatta to Chatswood route.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clennell|first=Andrew|title=Barry O'Farrell offers Julia Gillard a rail switch|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/barry-ofarrell-offers-julia-gillard-a-rail-switch/story-e6freuzi-1226090184335|accessdate=25 July 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=8 July 2011|location=Sydney, New South Wales}}</ref> The refusal dated back to a promise made during the 2010 Federal election campaign, when Gillard's Australian Labor Party announced the federal government would fund 80 per cent ($2.1 billion) of the construction of the Parramatta to Epping rail link if it were re-elected at the 2010 Australian federal election.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jordan|first=Bev|title=Epping-Parramatta link panned|url=http://rouse-hill-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/epping-parramatta-link-panned/|accessdate=25 July 2011|newspaper=Rouse Hill Times|date=11 August 2010|location=Rouse Hill, New South Wales}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Coorey|first=Phillip|title=Gillard's $2b transport fix|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election/gillards-2b-transport-fix-20100810-11y71.html|accessdate=25 July 2011|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=11 August 2010|location=Sydney, New South Wales}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Farr|first=Malcolm|title=All aboard the PM's Parramatta express|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/election/all-aboard-the-pms-parramatta-express/story-fn5zm695-1225903657259|accessdate=25 July 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=11 August 2010|location=Sydney, New South Wales}}</ref>


New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell asked Gillard to divert the Federal funds allocated to the Parramatta to Epping rail link to the North West Rail Link project.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sikora|first=Kate|title=Barry O'Farrell ready to rail at Julia Gillard for the North West Rail Link|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/barry-ofarrell-ready-to-rail-at-julia-gillard-for-the-north-west-rail-link/story-e6freuzi-1226036867572|accessdate=26 July 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=11 April 2011|location=Sydney, New South Wales}}</ref> Despite this, the Federal Government did not allocate any funds to the North West Rail Link in the 2011 Budget.<ref>{{cite news|last=Haynes|first=Rhys|title=Alternate route to North West Rail Link has been rejected by the State Government|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/alternate-route-to-north-west-rail-link-has-been-rejected-by-the-state-government/story-e6freuy9-1226056317692|accessdate=26 July 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=16 May 2011|location=Sydney, New South Wales}}</ref> At least part of the reason for the snub, apart from the Federal Government's transport priorities, is the fact that the O'Farrell State Government did not submit a project proposal for the North West Rail Link to Infrastructure Australia.<ref>{{cite news|last=Benson|first=Simon|title=Northwest link plan misses first stop|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/northwest-link-plan-misses-first-stop/story-fn6b3v4f-1226087721389|accessdate=26 July 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 July 2011|location=Sydney, New South Wales}}</ref>
Infrastructure Australia formally rejected Infrastructure NSW's request for $2.1 billion in funding in May 2012, saying the project is “not the highest priority” transport project for Sydney. Instead, Infrastructure Australia suggested an expansion of the bus network and better transport links with Parramatta.<ref>{{cite news |title=North West told to Link up with a bus instead |last1=Clennell |first1=Andrew |last2=Yamine |first2=Evelyne |date=7 May 2012 |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/north-west-told-to-link-up-with-a-bus-instead/story-fnb5f12x-1226348181347 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |accessdate=7 May 2012}}</ref> Infrastructure Australia cited the lack of a completed proposal and lack of information on cost, infrastructure and development as reasons for the rejection.<ref name=expadvocate120508>{{cite news |title=End of line for North West Rail Link says Treasurer Wayne Swan |last=Butson |first=Tyron |date=8 May 2012 |url=http://express-advocate-gosford.whereilive.com.au/news/story/end-of-line-for-north-west-rail-link-says-treasurer-wayne-swan/ |newspaper=Express Advocate |accessdate=9 May 2012}}</ref> The New South Wales Government vowed to build the line regardless.<ref name=expadvocate120508/><ref>{{cite news |title=NW Rail Link to be built despite funding rejection |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-07/nw-rail-link-to-be-built-despite-funding-rejection/3994724 |newspaper=ABC News |date=8 May 2012 |accessdate=9 May 2012}}</ref>


Results of a cost-benefit analysis released in November 2011 indicated that the North West Rail Link would be three times more beneficial to New South Wales than the Parramatta to Epping extension.<ref>{{cite news|last=Willoughby|first=Sally|title=North West Rail Link: Transport Study|url=http://www.hillsnews.com.au/news/local/news/general/north-west-rail-link-transport-study/2373601.aspx|accessdate=2 December 2011|newspaper=Hills News|date=29 November 2011|location=Castle Hill, New South Wales}}</ref> The report also indicated that the cost of constructing the Parramatta–Epping line would cost $1.78 billion more than initially expected.
==Construction and delivery==
There were three major contracts for the construction of the North West Rail Link. The tunnelling contract was awarded to a joint venture involving Leighton Holdings owned Thiess and John Holland, and Dragados in June 2013.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/getting-job-15-billion-tunnelling-contract-north-west-rail-link | title=Getting on with the job: $1.5 billion Tunnelling Contract on North West Rail Link | publisher=Transport for NSW | date=2013-06-25 | accessdate=2013-06-26}}</ref> In December 2013, the skytrain and surface construction contract was awarded to a joint venture between Italian firms Impregilo and Salini. The $340 million contract included a 270-metre cable-stayed bridge over Windsor Road at Rouse Hill.<ref name="Transport for NSW">{{cite press release | url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/north-west-rail-link-340-million-skytrain-contract-awarded | title=North West Rail Link $340 million skytrain contract awarded | publisher=Transport for NSW | date=2013-12-18 | accessdate=2014-01-02 | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192215/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/north-west-rail-link-340-million-skytrain-contract-awarded | archivedate=2 January 2014}}</ref> A third and final major contract to build the stations, operate the rail link and build single deck trains was awarded in June 2014 to the Northwest Rapid Transit consortium, consisting of John Holland, Leighton Contractors, MTR Corporation, Plenary Group and UGL Rail.<ref>{{cite web |title=Major milestones reached on North West Rail Link as preferred operator selected |url=http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/major-milestones-reached-north-west-rail-link-preferred-operator-selected |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=24 June 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006103450/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/major-milestones-reached-north-west-rail-link-preferred-operator-selected |archivedate=6 October 2014}}</ref>


Infrastructure Australia formally rejected Infrastructure NSW's request for $2.1 billion in funding in May 2012, saying the project is “not the highest priority” transport project for Sydney. Instead, Infrastructure Australia suggested an expansion of the bus network and better transport links with Parramatta.<ref>{{cite news|title=North West told to Link up with a bus instead|last1=Clennell|first1=Andrew|last2=Yamine|first2=Evelyne|date=7 May 2012|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/north-west-told-to-link-up-with-a-bus-instead/story-fnb5f12x-1226348181347|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney, New South Wales|accessdate=7 May 2012}}</ref> Infrastructure Australia cited the lack of a completed proposal and lack of information on cost, infrastructure and development as reasons for the rejection.<ref name=expadvocate120508>{{cite news|title=End of line for North West Rail Link says Treasurer Wayne Swan|last=Butson|first=Tyron|date=8 May 2012|url=http://express-advocate-gosford.whereilive.com.au/news/story/end-of-line-for-north-west-rail-link-says-treasurer-wayne-swan/|newspaper=Express Advocate|location=Gosford, New South Wales|accessdate=9 May 2012}}</ref> The New South Wales Government vowed to build the line regardless.<ref name=expadvocate120508/><ref>{{cite news|title=NW Rail Link to be built despite funding rejection|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-07/nw-rail-link-to-be-built-despite-funding-rejection/3994724|newspaper=ABC News|date=8 May 2012|accessdate=9 May 2012}}</ref>
Major tunnelling began in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=North-west rail link tunnel carved out by boring Elizabeth |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/northwest-rail-link-tunnel-carved-out-by-boring-elizabeth-20141118-11p1z8.html |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=18 November 2014 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> Most of the tunnel was bored, although the section at Kellyville was constructed using cut-and-cover techniques.<ref name="northerntimes20110706"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Rail link takes shape in Sydney's north-west |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/27/3228523.htm |date=27 May 2011 |work=ABC News}}</ref> The tunnels were completed in early 2016. In November 2016 the John Holland Group, Dragados and Transport for NSW were awarded the 2016 NSW Premier's Award for Building Infrastructure for the 15&nbsp;km twin-tunnels between Bella Vista and Epping, which are the longest tunnels constructed in Australia. The NSW Premier's award recognises "infrastructure projects in the state that make a difference to the local community".<ref>{{cite news |title=Sydney Metro receives awards for excellence |work=Trenchless Australasia |url=https://www.trenchless-australasia.com/2016/11/28/sydney-metro-receives-awards-excellence/ |date=28 November 2016 |accessdate=28 November 2016}}</ref>


A train stabling yard and depot was constructed beyond Tallawong station.
The [[Epping to Chatswood railway line]] closed from 30 September, 2018 for conversion to rapid transit standards. Substitute bus services operated during the closure.
By 14 January 2019 the project was sufficiently complete to allow the first metro train to complete the full journey between Tallawong and Chatswood.<ref>{{cite web |title=Major Milestone As Metro Northwest Completes Its First Full Test |url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/major-milestone-as-metro-northwest-completes-its-first-full-test |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=14 January 2019 |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> Following months of testing, Sydney Metro Northwest opened on 26 May 2019. Services were branded as the [[Metro North West Line]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sydney Metro is open |url=https://transportnsw.info/news/2019/sydney-metro-open |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=26 May 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526025044/https://transportnsw.info/news/2019/sydney-metro-open |archivedate=26 May 2019}}</ref> Until late 2019, a replacement bus service will run every night from around 9.30pm between Sunday to Wednesday to allow additional works to be completed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kontominas |first1=Bellinda |title='Game-changer': Sydney's new driverless train to open to the public on May 26 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-05/sydney-metro-driverless-trains-to-open-on-may-26/11081490 |work=ABC News |date=5 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sydney Metro to open in three weeks |url=https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/sydney-metro-to-open-three-weeks |publisher=Transport for NSW |date=5 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=North West Night Bus |url=https://transportnsw.info/plan/north-west-night-bus |work=transportnsw.info |publisher=Transport for NSW |accessdate=7 May 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505052711/https://transportnsw.info/plan/north-west-night-bus |archivedate=5 May 2019}}</ref>
==Extension to central Sydney and Bankstown==
{{main|Sydney Metro City & Southwest}}
The Sydney Metro City & Southwest project is extending the Metro North West Line through the [[wikipedia:Sydney central business district|Sydney central business district]] and on to Bankstown by building a tunnel from just south of Chatswood station via North Sydney and under the Sydney Harbour towards Central station and Sydenham, before joining a converted section of the [[Bankstown railway line]] towards Bankstown. Tunnelling commenced in October 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haydar |first1=Nour |title=Sydney Metro project reaches milestone as boring machines begin to drill |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-17/sydney-metro-tunnel-nsw-drilling-begins/10385840 |work=ABC News |date=17 October 2018}}</ref>
<!--
==Criticism==
==Criticism==
*Criticism as been made that double-deck trains would permit more seated passengers to be carried per hour, and that passengers on long trips prefer to be comfortably seated.<ref name="SMH_study">[http://www.catalyst.com.au/Public_files/F2_Public_Transport_Inquiry_Final_Report_26May2010_full_report.pdf], Independent Public Inquiry, Appendix 3 by Alex Wardrop, Fitness for Duty: The Capabilities of double and single deck rolling stock</ref>  A rebuttal to this claim has been made that longitudinal seating, which is actually the standard form of seating on most metro trains around the world, allows for ease of access for transient "hop-on, hop-off" passengers, and particularly for those with prams or trolleys. In the instance of journeys in which many people will be hopping on and off, longitudinal seating allows for people to stand and exit from their seat easily, as well as providing more standing or walking room along the carriage.<ref>{{cite web|title=Early community consultation|work=Transport for NSW|date=July 2015|url=https://www.sydneymetro.info/home/documents/29348/download}}</ref>{{deadlink|date=January 2019}}
*The government has announced that the bus services which connect the Sydney CBD with the north-west using the M2 Hills Motorway will be withdrawn when the NWRL opens and be replaced by rail feeder services to stations on the NWRL.<ref>{{cite news|last=Saulwick|first=Jacob|title=Bus services to go when rail link opens|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/bus-services-to-go-when-rail-link-opens-20121030-28h1f.html|date=30 October 2012|accessdate=16 July 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> Research has shown that trips from most of the north-west will take longer on bus-train combination than on bus alone.<ref name="Hensher">[http://www.atrf.info/papers/2012/2012_Clifton_Mulley_Hensher.pdf], The North West Rail Link: winners and losers in the locality of the North West area, by Clifton, Hensher and Mulley - ATRF2012.</ref>-->
*The government has announced that the bus services which connect the Sydney CBD with the north-west using the [[M2 Hills Motorway]] will be withdrawn when the NWRL opens and be replaced by rail feeder services to stations on the NWRL.<ref>{{cite news|last=Saulwick|first=Jacob|title=Bus services to go when rail link opens|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/bus-services-to-go-when-rail-link-opens-20121030-28h1f.html|date=30 October 2012|accessdate=16 July 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> Research has shown that trips from most of the north-west will take longer on bus-train combination than on bus alone.<ref name="Hensher">[http://www.atrf.info/papers/2012/2012_Clifton_Mulley_Hensher.pdf], The North West Rail Link: winners and losers in the locality of the North West area, by Clifton, Hensher and Mulley - ATRF2012.</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 166: Line 127:


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://www.sydneymetro.info/northwest/project-overview Sydney Metro Northwest project overview] - Transport for NSW
* [https://www.sydneymetro.info/northwest/project-overview Sydney Metro Northwest project overview] - Transport for NSW.


[[Category:Sydney Metro]]
[[Category:Sydney Metro]]

Latest revision as of 00:22, 5 July 2019

Sydney Metro Northwest
Overview
Mode(s) Rapid transit
Technical
Number of stops 13 (10 new stations)[1]
Electrification Overhead line

Sydney Metro Northwest was a rapid transit project in the north-western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It covered the construction and conversion of a line from Rouse Hill to Chatswood via Castle Hill and Epping. The project was managed by the New South Wales Government's transport authority, Transport for NSW and the Sydney Metro Authority. The infrastructure forms what is currently known as the Metro North West Line. The project opened on 26 May 2019.

The project grew out of the North West Rail Link (NWRL); an on-again, off-again proposal to build a conventional railway line to serve Sydney's developing north-western suburbs. The project gained renewed impetus following the election of the Barry O'Farrell-led state government in 2011. Plans were changed to see the line built as a metro that would operate independently from the existing railway system. The existing Epping to Chatswood railway line would also be converted to metro standards as part of the project. The "North West Rail Link" name was then applied to the whole route from Rouse Hill to Chatswood. In June 2015, the NWRL project was renamed Sydney Metro Northwest.[2]

Overview

Planning for the project was a long and complex affair. Beginning in the 1990s, plans to build the North West Rail Link were announced, cancelled and re-announced several times. There were differing plans as to how the project would integrate into the rest of Sydney's transport system. The following proposals were endorsed at one time or another by the government:

  • Main line rail connecting to the Main Northern line near Beecroft, with trains accessing the city via either Rhodes (using the Main Northern line) or Macquarie Park (using the Epping to Chatswood line).
  • Main line rail connecting directly to the Epping to Chatswood line at Epping, with trains accessing the city via Macquarie Park.
  • Rapid transit line from the north west to the city via the Inner West, dubbed the North West Metro.
  • Rapid transit line connecting to a modified Epping to Chatswood line at Epping. Trains would terminate at Chatswood, with an extension to the city proposed for the future. This was the design that was ultimately selected.

By June 2015, media releases from Transport for NSW used the name “North West Rail Link” to address the whole section between Rouse Hill and Chatswood and not just the unbuilt part.[3] The North West Rail Link was then renamed Sydney Metro Northwest.[2]

The new section of the project consists of twin tunnels between Epping and Bella Vista, at 15.5km long,[4] were the longest rail tunnels in Sydney when built.[5] They were also the deepest tunnels in Sydney; 67m below ground at the deepest point (below the intersection of Pennant Hills Road and Castle Hill Road).[6] Beyond Bella Vista station, the line runs above ground, mostly on a viaduct.

The project included the construction or modification of the following stations:[7]

Project history

1998-2008: A conventional railway

The North West Rail Link was originally announced in November 1998 as part of an $2.6 billion package of eight major rail projects due for construction by 2010 dubbed Action for Transport 2010.[8] At the time, the proposal was for a $360 million heavy rail connection from Epping to Castle Hill, with potential extension to Mungerie Park and Rouse Hill after 2010.

News reports from March 2001 suggested cost estimates for the Action for Transport 2010 plan had blown out so much that the scope of the plan was now reduced to an Epping to Chatswood rail link due for completion in 2008. The completion date for the Parramatta to Epping section of the original Parramatta to Chatswood link was unspecified, which meant that the North West rail link proposal was effectively deferred indefinitely as it would not be built until the Parramatta to Chatswood link was completed.[9]

A 2002 NSW Treasury report mentioned the North West rail link, and that it was "under development or investigation", but no estimate of cost or start date were provided.[10] In March 2002 a report detailing the preferred route alignment was released.[11] The 19km route was proposed to run from Epping to Mungerie Park at Rouse Hill via Castle Hill. The cost of construction was estimated at $1.4 billion. [12][13] On 3 October 2002, the Minister announced a feasibility study for an extension of the proposed route beyond Rouse Hill to meet the existing Richmond railway line.[12] Various studies in support of the Epping to Castle Hill link were made during 2003; most of this work related to the proposed alignment of the route.[14] It was revealed in August 2003 that RailCorp, the operator of Sydney's rail network, was considering a new $6 billion rail link that would connect Hornsby with Campbelltown via the Sydney CBD and that the North West rail link could form an extension to this route.[15]

The New South Wales Government announced the Metropolitan Rail Expansion Plan (MREP) in June 2005, an $8 billion plan to add three new railway lines to the suburban network over the following 15 years. The North West Rail Link was one of the proposed lines, the other two being the South West Rail Link and the CBD Rail Link.[16] In 2005 the schedule was revised and a new completion date of 2017 was set.[4] In November 2006, the government announced a staged plan for the North West Rail Link with train services to Castle Hill and Hills Centre in 2015, two years ahead of the original completion date of 2017.

Proposed route

The original North West Rail Link route proposal was planned to be 22km in length, consisting of a 16km underground section from Epping to the proposed Burns Road Station, followed by a 4km section above ground from Burns Road Station (now Kellyville Station) to Rouse Hill. A train stabling facility was proposed to the north west of Rouse Hill Town Centre.

The latest version of the original proposal proposed to connect the North West Rail Link alignment to the Epping to Chatswood railway line via a tunnel between Epping and Franklin Road (now Cherrybrook) stations, whereas the earliest version of the original proposal had the route alignment connect with the existing Main Northern railway line north of Cheltenham.[17] The direct route proposed using the stub tunnels originally built for the deferred Parramatta Rail Link between Parramatta and Epping.[17] New stub tunnels for the Parramatta Rail Link were to be constructed so that if the Epping to Parramatta line were completed, trains from Parramatta would have also been able to link into the Epping-Chatswood Line.[17]

Six new stations were proposed:

  • Franklin Road
  • Castle Hill
  • Hills Centre
  • Norwest
  • Burns Road
  • Rouse Hill

The line was scheduled to open in two stages: the first stage from Epping to Hills Centre Station was scheduled for completion by 2015 (originally 2017), and the second stage from Hills Centre to Rouse Hill Station was scheduled for completion by 2017. Construction was scheduled to begin in 2010. The original proposal called for off-peak rail service of four trains per hour, with six to eight trains per hour in peak periods. The route was expected to carry six to eight million passengers per year.

The line formed part of the Metropolitan Rail Expansion Program (MREP) proposed by the Carr Government in 2005.[18] The MREP included the South West Rail Link, North West Rail Link and the CBD Rail Link and was intended to augment transport links between the major new growth and employment areas of the Sydney metropolitan region. The route proposal was abandoned in 2008 by the Iemma Government in favour of the development of a metro-style rapid transit system.[18][19]

2008-2010: First metro proposal (via Gladesville)

Main article: Sydney Metro (2008 proposal)

In March 2008, the Government changed the project to a metro line dubbed the North West Metro and expanded the line to run all the way to the Sydney CBD via the suburbs of Ryde, Gladesville, Drummoyne and Pyrmont. By October, the New South Wales Government acknowledged it would not have the funds to complete the North West Metro and announced the CBD Metro instead. This was a greatly shortened version of the North West Metro which would run from Rozelle to Central station. The CBD Metro project was submitted to the Australian Government body Infrastructure Australia for funding. The government stated the North West Metro could be extended to link from Rozelle to Epping and Macquarie Park in the future if the CBD Metro was built, although the North West Metro was indefinitely deferred due to budgetary cuts.[20]

2010-2019: Switch back to a conventional railway and second metro proposal

On 21 February 2010, two and a half months after Kristina Keneally had become Premier, the New South Wales Government published its Metropolitan Transport Plan. This saw a return to the older North West Rail Link proposal and the cancellation of the entire Sydney Metro project.[21][22] At the time, construction was anticipated to begin in 2017. In August 2010 the State Government applied to Infrastructure Australia for funding to accelerate the delivery of the project, but no funding was granted.[4]

Starting construction on the North West Rail Link was a key promise made by then-Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell in the run up to the New South Wales state election held in March 2011.[23] When the O'Farrell Government took office, the line was proposed to form part of the mainline network and would be served by double deck rolling stock, like other rail lines in Sydney. The route proposal put forward in May 2011 by the government was a 23km rail route with six new stations, and the possibility of two more to be built at point in the future.[4][24] A report released in July 2011 indicated that upon opening of the line, four to six trains per hour would connect Rouse Hill station with Chatswood station via Epping.[25][26] Of these, only as few as 2 trains per hour would be able to continue from Chatswood to the CBD due to capacity constraints on the North Shore railway line.[27]

The design was changed to a driverless rapid transit line, featuring more frequent, lower capacity single deck trains.[28] All trains would terminate at Chatswood, with passengers required to change to conventional trains to continue to the city. This decision was controversial. Criticism was made that double-deck trains would permit more seated passengers to be carried per hour, and that passengers on long trips prefer to be seated.[29] Transport for NSW justified the decision by saying that longitudinal seating, the form of seating on most metro trains around the world, allows for ease of access for transient "hop-on, hop-off" passengers, and particularly for those with prams or trolleys. In the instance of journeys in which many people will be hopping on and off, longitudinal seating allows for people to stand and exit from their seat easily, as well as providing more standing or walking room along the carriage.[30]Template:Deadlink

Attempts to secure Federal funding

The Gillard Federal Government refused to commit any funding to the North West Rail Link because it favoured completion of the Parramatta to Epping section of the Parramatta to Chatswood route.[31] The refusal dated back to a promise made during the 2010 Federal election campaign, when Gillard's Australian Labor Party announced the federal government would fund 80 per cent ($2.1 billion) of the construction of the Parramatta to Epping rail link if it were re-elected at the 2010 Australian federal election.[32][33][34]

New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell asked Gillard to divert the federal funds allocated to the Parramatta to Epping rail link to the North West Rail Link project.[35] Despite this, the Federal Government did not allocate any funds to the North West Rail Link in the 2011 Budget.[36] At least part of the reason for the snub, apart from the Federal Government's transport priorities, is the fact that the O'Farrell State Government did not submit a project proposal for the North West Rail Link to Infrastructure Australia.[37]

Results of a cost-benefit analysis released in November 2011 indicated that the North West Rail Link would be three times more beneficial to New South Wales than the Parramatta to Epping extension.[38] The report also indicated that the cost of constructing the Parramatta–Epping line would cost $1.78 billion more than initially expected.

Infrastructure Australia formally rejected Infrastructure NSW's request for $2.1 billion in funding in May 2012, saying the project is “not the highest priority” transport project for Sydney. Instead, Infrastructure Australia suggested an expansion of the bus network and better transport links with Parramatta.[39] Infrastructure Australia cited the lack of a completed proposal and lack of information on cost, infrastructure and development as reasons for the rejection.[40] The New South Wales Government vowed to build the line regardless.[40][41]

Construction and delivery

There were three major contracts for the construction of the North West Rail Link. The tunnelling contract was awarded to a joint venture involving Leighton Holdings owned Thiess and John Holland, and Dragados in June 2013.[42] In December 2013, the skytrain and surface construction contract was awarded to a joint venture between Italian firms Impregilo and Salini. The $340 million contract included a 270-metre cable-stayed bridge over Windsor Road at Rouse Hill.[43] A third and final major contract to build the stations, operate the rail link and build single deck trains was awarded in June 2014 to the Northwest Rapid Transit consortium, consisting of John Holland, Leighton Contractors, MTR Corporation, Plenary Group and UGL Rail.[44]

Major tunnelling began in 2014.[45] Most of the tunnel was bored, although the section at Kellyville was constructed using cut-and-cover techniques.[6][46] The tunnels were completed in early 2016. In November 2016 the John Holland Group, Dragados and Transport for NSW were awarded the 2016 NSW Premier's Award for Building Infrastructure for the 15 km twin-tunnels between Bella Vista and Epping, which are the longest tunnels constructed in Australia. The NSW Premier's award recognises "infrastructure projects in the state that make a difference to the local community".[47]

A train stabling yard and depot was constructed beyond Tallawong station.

The Epping to Chatswood railway line closed from 30 September, 2018 for conversion to rapid transit standards. Substitute bus services operated during the closure.

By 14 January 2019 the project was sufficiently complete to allow the first metro train to complete the full journey between Tallawong and Chatswood.[48] Following months of testing, Sydney Metro Northwest opened on 26 May 2019. Services were branded as the Metro North West Line.[49] Until late 2019, a replacement bus service will run every night from around 9.30pm between Sunday to Wednesday to allow additional works to be completed.[50][51][52]

Extension to central Sydney and Bankstown

Main article: Sydney Metro City & Southwest

The Sydney Metro City & Southwest project is extending the Metro North West Line through the Sydney central business district and on to Bankstown by building a tunnel from just south of Chatswood station via North Sydney and under the Sydney Harbour towards Central station and Sydenham, before joining a converted section of the Bankstown railway line towards Bankstown. Tunnelling commenced in October 2018.[53]

References

  1. ↑ "Project Overview". Sydney Metro. Transport for NSW. http://sydneymetro.info/project-overview1. Retrieved 13 July 2015. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Funding secured: Sydney Metro to be a reality". Transport for NSW. 4 June 2015. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150623191517/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/funding-secured-sydney-metro-be-reality. Retrieved 13 July 2015. 
  3. ↑ "Breaking new ground on Sydney's mega-project as new station design revealed". Transport for NSW. http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/breaking-new-ground-sydneys-mega-project-new-station-design-revealed. Retrieved 6 August 2015. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Template:Cite report
  5. ↑ "Drillers called for Northwest Rail Link". Hills Shire Times. 10 June 2011. http://hills-shire-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/drillers-called-for-northwest-rail-link/. Retrieved 13 June 2011. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Butson, Tyron (6 July 2011). "Northwest rail link tunnel deeper than harbour". Northern District Times. http://northern-district-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/northwest-rail-link-tunnel-deeper-than-harbour/. Retrieved 10 July 2011. 
  7. ↑ "North West Rail Link". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131014165533/http://northwestrail.com.au/project/photos/1?photo_id=553.jpg. Retrieved 2013-06-07. 
  8. ↑ "Eight major rail projects for Sydney" (Press release). New South Wales Government. 23 November 1998. http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/1998/eight-major-rail.html. Retrieved 8 July 2011. 
  9. ↑ "Castle Hill rail line becomes the missing link" (Press release). Michael Richardson MP. 6 March 2001. Archived from the original on 17 March 2003. http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/34001/20030317-0000/www.michaelrichardson.com.au/Mediareleases/raillinkpr.PDF. Retrieved 8 July 2011. 
  10. ↑ Template:Cite report
  11. ↑ "Release of preferred route for the proposed rail link for Sydney's north west" (Press release). New South Wales Government. 10 March 2002. http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/2002/10-03-02-nwrl-min.html. Retrieved 8 July 2011. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "New studies to progress North West rail link" (Press release). New South Wales Government. 3 October 2002. http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/2002/03-10-02-nwrl.html. Retrieved 8 July 2011. 
  13. ↑ Template:Cite report
  14. ↑ Template:Cite report
  15. ↑ Kerr, Joseph (12 August 2003). "The fast track - $6bn plan to unlock the rail grid". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 8 December 2005. http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/21852/20051208-0000/www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/12/1060588333992.html. Retrieved 9 July 2011. 
  16. ↑ Template:Cite report
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "North West Rail Link - Preferred Project Report Volume 1". Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation. May 2007. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070831223012/http://www.tidc.nsw.gov.au/Documents/1155_PPRVol1.pdf. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Besser, Linton (26 February 2008). "Bye heavy rail, now for a north-west metro". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bye-heavy-rail-now-for-a-northwest-metro/2008/02/25/1203788248514.html. Retrieved 7 June 2011. 
  19. ↑ Besser, Linton (19 March 2008). "Great idea, but white elephants trumpet". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/great-idea-but-white-elephants-trumpet/2008/03/18/1205602385118.html. Retrieved 7 June 2011. 
  20. ↑ Benson, Simon (31 October 2008). "Northwest Metro rail link officially shelved". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/northwest-metro-rail-disaster/story-e6freuzi-1111117906366. Retrieved 6 April 2011. 
  21. ↑ "Metropolitan Transport Plan: Connecting the City of Cities". NSW Government. Archived from the original on 6 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110406101341/http://www.nsw.gov.au/metropolitantransportplan. Retrieved 7 April 2011. 
  22. ↑ Sydney Metro (2010). 2010 Annual Report. NSW Government. Archived from the original on 4 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110404235324/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/file/Sydney%20Metro%202010%20Annual%20Report.pdf. Retrieved 7 April 2011. 
  23. ↑ "O'Farrell hails new political landscape". ABC News. 27 March 2011. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/27/3174848.htm. Retrieved 6 April 2011. 
  24. ↑ Haynes, Rhys; Clennell, Andrew (27 May 2011). "Let's go forth by North West rail". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/lets-go-forth-by-north-west-rail/story-e6freuzi-1226063709238. Retrieved 26 May 2011. 
  25. ↑ Haynes, Rhys (6 July 2011). "New northwest rail link more a shuttle". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/new-northwest-rail-link-more-a-shuttle/story-e6freuzi-1226088398974. Retrieved 7 July 2011. 
  26. ↑ Saulwick, Jacob (8 July 2011). "Fears of too few services on north-west rail link". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fears-of-too-few-services-on-northwest-rail-link-20110707-1h4ug.html. Retrieved 8 July 2011. 
  27. ↑ Saulwick, Jacob (16 February 2011). "New north-west line might cause cuts to others, says advice". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/state-election-2011/new-northwest-line-might-cause-cuts-to-others-says-rail-advice-20110215-1av7l.html. Retrieved 8 July 2011. 
  28. ↑ "Trains on new Sydney line to be driverless". ABC News. 7 June 2013. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-06/trains-on-new-sydney-line-to-be-driverless/4738702. Retrieved 30 August 2013. 
  29. ↑ "Independent Public Inquiry, Appendix 3 by Alex Wardrop, Fitness for Duty: The Capabilities of double and single deck rolling stock". http://www.catalyst.com.au/Public_files/F2_Public_Transport_Inquiry_Final_Report_26May2010_full_report.pdf. 
  30. ↑ "Early community consultation". Transport for NSW. July 2015. https://www.sydneymetro.info/home/documents/29348/download. 
  31. ↑ Clennell, Andrew (8 July 2011). "Barry O'Farrell offers Julia Gillard a rail switch". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/barry-ofarrell-offers-julia-gillard-a-rail-switch/story-e6freuzi-1226090184335. Retrieved 25 July 2011. 
  32. ↑ Jordan, Bev (11 August 2010). "Epping-Parramatta link panned". Rouse Hill Times. http://rouse-hill-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/epping-parramatta-link-panned/. Retrieved 25 July 2011. 
  33. ↑ Coorey, Phillip (11 August 2010). "Gillard's $2b transport fix". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election/gillards-2b-transport-fix-20100810-11y71.html. Retrieved 25 July 2011. 
  34. ↑ Farr, Malcolm (11 August 2010). "All aboard the PM's Parramatta express". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/election/all-aboard-the-pms-parramatta-express/story-fn5zm695-1225903657259. Retrieved 25 July 2011. 
  35. ↑ Sikora, Kate (11 April 2011). "Barry O'Farrell ready to rail at Julia Gillard for the North West Rail Link". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/barry-ofarrell-ready-to-rail-at-julia-gillard-for-the-north-west-rail-link/story-e6freuzi-1226036867572. Retrieved 26 July 2011. 
  36. ↑ Haynes, Rhys (16 May 2011). "Alternate route to North West Rail Link has been rejected by the State Government". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/alternate-route-to-north-west-rail-link-has-been-rejected-by-the-state-government/story-e6freuy9-1226056317692. Retrieved 26 July 2011. 
  37. ↑ Benson, Simon (5 July 2011). "Northwest link plan misses first stop". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/northwest-link-plan-misses-first-stop/story-fn6b3v4f-1226087721389. Retrieved 26 July 2011. 
  38. ↑ Willoughby, Sally (29 November 2011). "North West Rail Link: Transport Study". Hills News. http://www.hillsnews.com.au/news/local/news/general/north-west-rail-link-transport-study/2373601.aspx. Retrieved 2 December 2011. 
  39. ↑ Clennell, Andrew; Yamine, Evelyne (7 May 2012). "North West told to Link up with a bus instead". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/north-west-told-to-link-up-with-a-bus-instead/story-fnb5f12x-1226348181347. Retrieved 7 May 2012. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Butson, Tyron (8 May 2012). "End of line for North West Rail Link says Treasurer Wayne Swan". Express Advocate. http://express-advocate-gosford.whereilive.com.au/news/story/end-of-line-for-north-west-rail-link-says-treasurer-wayne-swan/. Retrieved 9 May 2012. 
  41. ↑ "NW Rail Link to be built despite funding rejection". ABC News. 8 May 2012. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-07/nw-rail-link-to-be-built-despite-funding-rejection/3994724. Retrieved 9 May 2012. 
  42. ↑ "Getting on with the job: $1.5 billion Tunnelling Contract on North West Rail Link" (Press release). Transport for NSW. 2013-06-25. http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/getting-job-15-billion-tunnelling-contract-north-west-rail-link. Retrieved 2013-06-26. 
  43. ↑ "North West Rail Link $340 million skytrain contract awarded" (Press release). Transport for NSW. 2013-12-18. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192215/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/north-west-rail-link-340-million-skytrain-contract-awarded. Retrieved 2014-01-02. 
  44. ↑ "Major milestones reached on North West Rail Link as preferred operator selected". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006103450/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/major-milestones-reached-north-west-rail-link-preferred-operator-selected. Retrieved 24 June 2014. 
  45. ↑ "North-west rail link tunnel carved out by boring Elizabeth". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 November 2014. http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/northwest-rail-link-tunnel-carved-out-by-boring-elizabeth-20141118-11p1z8.html. 
  46. ↑ "Rail link takes shape in Sydney's north-west". ABC News. 27 May 2011. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/27/3228523.htm. 
  47. ↑ "Sydney Metro receives awards for excellence". Trenchless Australasia. 28 November 2016. https://www.trenchless-australasia.com/2016/11/28/sydney-metro-receives-awards-excellence/. Retrieved 28 November 2016. 
  48. ↑ "Major Milestone As Metro Northwest Completes Its First Full Test". Transport for NSW. 14 January 2019. https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/major-milestone-as-metro-northwest-completes-its-first-full-test. 
  49. ↑ "Sydney Metro is open". transportnsw.info. Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 26 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190526025044/https://transportnsw.info/news/2019/sydney-metro-open. Retrieved 26 May 2019. 
  50. ↑ Kontominas, Bellinda (5 May 2019). "'Game-changer': Sydney's new driverless train to open to the public on May 26". ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-05/sydney-metro-driverless-trains-to-open-on-may-26/11081490. 
  51. ↑ "Sydney Metro to open in three weeks". Transport for NSW. 5 May 2019. https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/sydney-metro-to-open-three-weeks. 
  52. ↑ "North West Night Bus". transportnsw.info. Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190505052711/https://transportnsw.info/plan/north-west-night-bus. Retrieved 7 May 2019. 
  53. ↑ Haydar, Nour (17 October 2018). "Sydney Metro project reaches milestone as boring machines begin to drill". ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-17/sydney-metro-tunnel-nsw-drilling-begins/10385840. 


Attribution

This article incorporates text from the following revision of the English Wikipedia article "Sydney Metro Northwest": https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sydney_Metro_Northwest&oldid=879338068.

External links

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