Sydney Metro

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Standing will be the norm on new Sydney Metro trains

[ozbob]

Sydney Metro --> Sydney Metro accelerates through CBD: stations confirmed and first borer to arrive in 2018

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> NSW Government considers extending metro line in Sydney's west

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney skyline gets shake-up as towers face wrecking ball for new metro stations

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> The Sydney commuters who have been forgotten in rapid transit overhaul

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Builders of Sydney's new metro line need to straighten out curved platforms

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Mystery Waterloo rail campaigner reveals ultimate goal behind leaflets

[#Metro]

Ah, Luke Franzmann - project leader for... CROSS RIVER RAIL... 

How interesting to see the NSW Gov't / Private sector have stolen him from QLD.
That's what you get when you chop and change plans and governments every 3 years. Your competitors snatch them and the federal funding as well.

[ozbob]

Don't blame them at all ...

Meanwhile in  >> Queensland

[ozbob]

TfNSW --> Sydney Metro to rejuvenate Waterloo

Waterloo has been selected as the 31st station on Sydney Metro – providing a once in a lifetime opportunity to renew the area's social housing and increase the supply of new homes close to the CBD.

NSW Premier Mike Baird, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance, Minister for Planning Rob Stokes and Minister for Social Housing Brad Hazzard said the revitalised area around the new metro station could deliver thousands of new jobs and homes to meet the needs of a growing Sydney.

"The metro station creates the opportunity to transform Waterloo and make it a better place to live for future and existing residents, many of whom are amongst the most vulnerable people in NSW," Mr Baird said.

"Waterloo Station will help bring new jobs to the area as well as providing a direct public transport link to employment hubs at Barangaroo and Martin Place."

Mr Constance said: "Sydney Metro is a game-changer for our city – the station at Waterloo will make this rapidly growing part of Sydney more accessible and take pressure off Redfern and Green Square Stations."

The ageing Waterloo social housing estate will be progressively renewed to create a vibrant community with a mix of private, affordable and social housing. There will be no loss of social housing from the current 2,000 dwellings.

While some residents may need to move into other housing in the local area during redevelopment, many residents will be able to relocate into new social housing on the estate as the renewal progresses.

Mr Stokes said: "Waterloo metro station will be the catalyst for the delivery of an additional 10,000 homes and thousands of new jobs in the precinct for families who live in the area."

Mr Hazzard said: "The metro station will transform the Waterloo housing estate for the better, building a dynamic community with better amenity, better homes, better facilities, fantastic transport and more jobs.

"I can assure Waterloo tenants that if they want to remain in Waterloo after the redevelopment, they can do so."

The community will be consulted about the future of the neighbourhood to help prepare more detailed precinct plans with new parks, homes and community facilities. An Environmental Impact Statement for the metro station is expected to be released in mid-2016.

The renewal process will be undertaken in a staged approach over the next 15 to 20 years, with the first relocations not expected until mid- 2017.

Following the decision for a preferred station at Waterloo, Transport for NSW will now look into improving public transport at The University of Sydney through significant upgrades to Redfern Station and improved pedestrian connectivity through Redfern and Darlington associated with the Central to Eveleigh Urban Transformation Program.

The NSW Government will investigate a Special Infrastructure Contribution around Waterloo station to be reserved for the Sydney Metro project and associated infrastructure, under a similar model to the Parramatta Light Rail project.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Waterloo chosen over Sydney University as site for new metro train station

[ozbob]

Just back from a short summer break. Florence wasn't so lucky. She's been busy finishing the last Metro NW tunnel.
https://t.co/00ldhcC5bl

— Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) January 14, 2016

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Cracks emerge in Skytrain section of $8.3 billion Sydney rail line

Two of 24 concrete spans erected for the "Skytrain" section of the new rail line to Sydney's north-west suburbs may need to be pulled down after cracking.

The skytrain spans, which have an average length of almost 40 metres across the project, are made up of pre-cast concrete segments locked together with steel cords.

But Transport for NSW, which confirmed the cracking after enquiries from Fairfax Media, says there should be no delay in the overall construction of the $8.3 billion Sydney Metro NorthWest project, due to open in early 2019 ...

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/cracks-emerge-in-skytrain-section-of-83-billion-sydney-rail-line-20160115-gm6nes.html

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Twin tunnels for Sydney's new Northwest metro line completed 'ahead of time'

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Mike Baird the deciding vote as cabinet chooses housing over university

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> How to retrofit Sydney to make a metro public transport system viable

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/location-locked-waterloo-metro-station

Location locked in for Waterloo Metro Station

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance has today announced the location of the new station at Waterloo – the 31st station on Sydney Metro.

The station will be built underground between Botany Road and Cope Street, south of Raglan Street, with discussions now underway with affected landowners and tenants.

"We've locked in a station location and we're getting on with the job of delivering the next stage of Sydney Metro," Mr Constance said.

"This is a game-changing project for our city. The station at Waterloo is a key part of realising the area's enormous potential and will make this rapidly growing part of Sydney more accessible and take pressure off Redfern and Green Square Stations."

Sydney Metro will deliver 'turn up and go' rail services with more than 65 kilometres of new metro rail on a standalone line.

Stage 2 of Sydney Metro – Sydney Metro City & Southwest – includes new twin rail tunnels from Chatswood to Sydenham and proposed new stations at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross (North Sydney), Barangaroo, Martin Place, Pitt Street, Central and Waterloo.

The Environmental Impact Statement will be released later this year, which will give the community the chance to have their say on the project.

[kram0]

If only we had a progressive get on with it government like NSW. This will be one great transport project QLD can only dream of!!

[ozbob]

First look at new Sydney Metro stations. Glass barriers will be fitted to each platform. @jeloscek #SydneyMetro https://t.co/GlQrSfgye9

— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) February 18, 2016

[verbatim9]

Looks great!

[#Metro]

Good to see.

Uses conversion of existing tracks for part of its length, side by side tunnels and automatic trains.

And Brisbane wants to have a 'manual' one.

[ozbob]

Eerrrr  Quirk wants a  manual one.  Quirk's metro nonsense will never happen.

A real automated metro might one day, but it will be years after Quirk has retired from games of spin and chance.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> NSW issues tender for Hong Kong high-rises at new Sydney Metro train stations

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney residents get chance to give preferences on metro rail line to Liverpool

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Unanswered questions at the heart of Mike Baird's $20b rail plan

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Sydney Metro railway project to acquire 150 properties from Chatswood to Bankstown

About 150 homes and businesses will be acquired by the New South Wales Government as part of the latest stage of the Sydney Metro railway project.

Extending from Chatswood to Bankstown via the CBD, the second stage railway project will include twin tunnels under Sydney Harbour.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance opened the tender process today but did not provide details on the planned acquisitions.

"There are always going to be some sensitivities for business and for home owners and apartment owners," he said.

"That's why we get a professional team in place to be able to go and do that work and obviously we work through the process in terms of the north-west link - we're applying those principles with the rest of the project and we're getting some tremendous outcomes."

Mr Constance could not say how much the second stage will cost, but said the original estimate for the Sydney metro overall cost was between $9.5 billion and $11 billion.

"Since then we've done geotechnical work so that adds to the challenges," he said.

"There are different tunnel boring techniques which need to occur under the harbour because of the very nature of the water and the soaking into the sandstone."

He said the north-west project was proof the government was committed to delivering the metro on time.

"You only need to look at the north-west project where we built 30 kilometres of tunnel in 16 months," Mr Constance said.

"We're building the longest rail tunnels in Australia, and we're building an incredible metro line that will form the basis of a metro network for generations to come."

Mr Constance said the first of five tunnel boring machines would be in the ground before the end of 2018 to deliver new twin railway tunnels from Chatswood to Sydenham.

The Government aims to open the Sydney Metro by 2024.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> 'It's going to be a disruptive time'

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Tender announced for Sydney Metro second stage

The NSW Government has launched the tender process for the construction of new twin railway tunnels from Chatswood to Sydenham, under Sydney Harbour and the CBD, as part of the second stage of the Sydney Metro project.

NSW minister for transport and infrastructure Andrew Constance made the announcement on Wednesday at an industry briefing in Chatswood.

Constance, who spoke to more than 450 delegates from around 250 Australian and international companies, said the government was looking to award the contract for tunnelling and station excavation works by mid-2017.

The announcement follows a six month process of engagement and consultation with industry on the project, Constance said.

"We've now taken the next step and opened expressions of interest for tunnelling, asking industry to partner with us in delivering this city-shaping project," he said.

"The first of five tunnel boring machines will be in the ground before the end of 2018 to deliver new twin railway tunnels from Chatswood to Sydenham, as we get on with the job of opening Sydney Metro City & Southwest by 2024."

Sydney Metro City & Southwest is the second stage of the Sydney Metro project.

Construction of the first stage, Sydney Metro Northwest, is already well underway, with tunnelling now complete, and skytrain and station construction ongoing.

The first stage of the project is to build a metro-style rail line from newly-developed housing centres in Sydney's northwest, to Epping. The existing line from Epping to Chatswood will then be converted to create a single, twin-tunnel metro line between the northwest suburbs and Chatswood.

The tunnelling project announced on Wednesday is for Sydney Metro City & Southwest – the second stage of the project – which will build an extension from Chatswood, under Sydney Harbour, through the CBD and onto the existing line at Sydenham. From there, the line will be converted from Sydenham to Bankstown, to create one, cohesive Sydney Metro line.

"We finished tunnelling on Sydney Metro Northwest in January this year, with services on track to start in the first half of 2019 with a new metro train every four minutes in the peak," Constance said.

"Sydney Metro isn't just a city-shaping project – this is a fully-funded state-building and nation-building infrastructure project being delivered right now.

"As we embark on the formal procurement process for Sydney Metro City & Southwest, this is a further opportunity for industry to work with the government in delivering a truly world-class piece of infrastructure."

[#Metro]

[kram0]

This project makes our planned CRR look small and insignificant compared to Sydney Metro. If only we had a progressive forward thinking government!!

[#Metro]

This project makes our planned CRR look small and insignificant compared to Sydney Metro. If only we had a progressive forward thinking government!!

It is being paid for by [BLEEP] Asset Sales [CENSORED][BLEEP]. So is the Victorian Skyrail and level crossing removal.

They are also recycling existing railway line by converting Sydney rail lines. In Brisbane, a similar thing could be done with the Ferny Grove Line

and perhaps the Springfield line. Of course, everything has $ attached to it. I would be happy if the bus back door opened!

[kram0]

I would just be happy if they stopped talking about major projects and start building then. Trouts Rd should definitely be built at the same time as CRR3 or 4 as it opens up many more options. We also need to stop cutting corners and build what is needed for the future not the next 10 years!! Sydney metro demonstrates forward thinking we have not seen here in QLD:

[tazzer9]

I would just be happy if they stopped talking about major projects and start building then. Trouts Rd should definitely be built at the same time as CRR3 or 4 as it opens up many more options. We also need to stop cutting corners and build what is needed for the future not the next 10 years!! Sydney metro demonstrates forward thinking we have not seen here in QLD:

Sydney metro seems like the government has alot of money to spend and is intent on building a railway, no matter which route is actually best.  Just remember they are putting epping-chatswood out of action for a year and wont even have a direct connection to the CBD for another few years.     They also went backwards by having the tunnels intentionally a few centimetres too narrow so the double deck rolling stock can never be used on it (which for the north west section I do question the use of metro type single deck rolling stock when the stations are so spread out).  Sydney has a heap of areas for a proper metro, close stations high frequency.  castle hill to the CBD isnt one of them.   

It will be good once the CBD connection is made.   Will definitely take some relief off the north shore.

Just remember that Sydney also has a heap of track capacity problems that brisbane will never experience mainly due to the high volumes and differing speeds of trains on the main north. 

Now to put on foam hat, they should have built the new underground stations long enough so they can run 8 car V sets.   

[#Metro]

member they are putting epping-chatswood out of action for a year and wont even have a direct connection to the CBD for another few years.

Just like GCLRT and the missing connection. Or the Nth busway with the middle bit missing.

double deck rolling stock can never be used on it

The electrical systems are likely incompatible anyway - Sydney and Melbourne have 1920's style electrification. New metro will probably

have its own power specs.

Sydney has a heap of areas for a proper metro, close stations high frequency.  castle hill to the CBD isnt one of them.

I have heard this sort of critique from others as well - but for me a metro is mainly getting high volumes of pax and frequency. I don't

particularly care how the pax are collected - whether by bus or high density at stations, as long as there are a lot of them. The same goes

for station spacing - I am neutral on station spacing because it all needs to be adapted to context. In a low density, sprawling city,

it might make sense to have wider station spacing. The Paris Model of a Metro is over 100 years old and while it is classic, it is not the

only way to run things.

[Old Northern Road]

I'd argue that the station spacing on the NWRL is too close together for double deck trains. Ideally you'd want them 10km apart on average. There aren't too many places in the world where double deck trains are used in urban areas. The RER is one of the rare examples yet even there double deck trains are only used on some of the lines and the stations are spread further apart than what they are in Sydney.

Remeber that if the NWRL was part of the Cityrail network they would of only gotten 4tph during peak. I know which I would prefer

[#Metro]

Remeber that if the NWRL was part of the Cityrail network they would of only gotten 4tph during peak. I know which I would prefer

It would be great to see more lines converted to metro. Funding it from land tax on residential properties would work really well in Sydney because the market there is overheated and Sydney property costs $$$. The amount potentially raised would be huge.

[kram0]

Either way they are building not talking about it. When I was in Sydney on the weekend I noticed many stations are also getting major upgrades while we stand still and upgrade 2 or 3 per year. We are so far behind it scary.

[tazzer9]

Remeber that if the NWRL was part of the Cityrail network they would of only gotten 4tph during peak. I know which I would prefer

It would be great to see more lines converted to metro. Funding it from land tax on residential properties would work really well in Sydney because the market there is overheated and Sydney property costs $$$. The amount potentially raised would be huge.

Some lines would be good to convert to metro.   I like how they are going to convert most of bankstown line as well (but it really should be going to the junction with the main south) and have heard about converting the main illawarra tracks to metro.   These make alot more sense though.  The NWRL the stations are not that close together.   

I'm not saying that they should have the double deckers running on it, because at best if they have built the entire line as more or less an expansion of the current network and another harbour and cbd crossing, double deckers would be that little bit slower but more unnecessary in terms of capacity, even at 4 cars.  It would have been good to keep the option open and even expand single deck trains to some of the sydney network.  (olympic park, carlingdord, south coast local services). 
My personal thoughts are that the NW metro would have been better off being part of the current suburban system, and extending through the inner southern suburbs to around the cronulla area and a branch back onto the current line around hurstville while metrofiying the eastern suburbs to hurstville main tracks.   At least this way they could built the new CBD platforms to 200m so a 8 car v set(or replacement) can fit into the platform and have proper through routing of south coast services.

I noticed many stations are also getting major upgrades while we stand still and upgrade 2 or 3 per year. We are so far behind it scary.

You will find that apart from the PID upgrades, a good majority of sydney stations are far behind what ours are in terms of DDA compliance or the upgrades are to handle to huge volumes of people that use the stations.  (the st james and wynard upgrades)

[#Metro]

Some lines would be good to convert to metro.   I like how they are going to convert most of bankstown line as well (but it really should be going to the junction with the main south) and have heard about converting the main illawarra tracks to metro.   These make alot more sense though.  The NWRL the stations are not that close together.

The Ferny Grove line is an excellent metro conversion candidate. This could happen with or without rollingstock conversion.

Brisbane's rail stations are spaced closely together, which is a bit of a problem for regional trains, however it is perfect for metro operations, provided that the frequencies are kept high (i.e. 15 minutes or more frequent). Inner parts of the Ipswich line are also possible conversion candidates (Springfield - CBD, or Darra - CBD with the Springfield line disconnected and routed through Centenary Suburbs).

Inner parts of other lines are also possible. I think some places in Germany have U-Bahn and S-Bahn tracks run side by side in the same corridor.

Though I think the priority at the moment is to focus on just getting the current services up to frequency.