Inner West Light Rail Extension

The route map of Inner West Light Rail Extension. Image courtesy of Transport for NSW.

Artist’s impression of Taverners Hill Stop. Image courtesy of Transport for NSW.

Model showing the design of Lewisham West station located along the extension line. Image courtesy of Transport for NSW.

Artist’s impression of Dulwich Hill interchanges along the Inner West light rail extension line. Image courtesy of Transport for NSW.

The Inner West Light Rail running between Central and Lilyfield has been expanded by a further 5.6km from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill. The extension included the construction of nine new stations along the line.

The project was launched as the first step for Sydney light rail expansion and initiated by the New South Wales (NSW) Government. Services on the extended line began in March 2014.

Project details of the Inner West Light Rail extension

The Inner West Light Rail extension included the construction of a double track of standard gauge from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill with nine stops. The new light rail stations were built at Leichhardt North, Hawthorne, Marion, Taverners Hill, Lewisham West, Waratah Mills, Arlington, Dulwich Grove and Dulwich Hill Interchange.

The project also included installation of power, safety, signalling and communication systems along the extension. Real-time passenger information systems were installed at all the new stations. The line has a single overhead at 750V DC traction power supply.

The extension benefits by improving access to public transport and creates new connections with shopping and entertainment places such as Leichhardt Marketplace, Sydney Fish Market, Paddy Market, Capitol Square, Leichhardt Marketplace and Star City. It also provides better public transport integration.

Construction of the Inner West light rail extension

The design, construction, commissioning and testing on the line was completed within 18 months. Preparatory works, such as surveying, investigation and other preconstruction works, commenced in July 2012. Major construction commenced in November.

The pre-construction works included laying foundations for light rail stops and construction of footings for platforms. Two power poles positioned at the Parramatta Road were relocated for enabling lift shafts to continue construction at Taverners Hill light rail stop.

Construction at Taverners Hill was carried out only after putting in place a temporary catch deck below the Parramatta road bridge so as to avoid debris.Equipment for the construction included excavators, piling rigs, cranes, rollers, compactors, concrete saws, motorised hand tools, hydraulic post drivers, concrete pumps, mixer trucks and delivery trucks.

Associated infrastructure included a 3m wide pathway from Cooks River to Sydney Harbour for pedestrians and cyclists, pedestrian crossing point at each stop, location signage and wayfinding as well as appropriate lighting for the shared path.

Contractors for the Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill light rail extension

In May 2012, John Holland was awarded with an $85.5m contract for providing the detailed design and construction works on the extension line. The contract also includes delivery of nine new light rail stations along the line, as well as the power and signalling systems and bridge works.

Cardno was appointed as technical advisor to provide streetscape designs for the extension project. Leichhardt, and Ashfield and Marrickville Councils along with other government agencies are being consulted on the project.

Rolling stock for the Inner West extension line

The extension line operates the same seven ABB Variotram LRVs that are currently being operated on the main line, along with four new light rail vehicles.

The LRVs are single deck, air-conditioned cars of 29m length and a 2.65m width. The electric powered vehicles have low floor design and sliding doors. They feature disability access provisions, as well as modern passenger surveillance and communication systems.
Each LRV contains room for about 70 seats and a standing space for another 130. The average speed of the train will be about 25km/h and the maximum speed will be about 80km/h.

In August 2012, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) was awarded with a contract to deliver six new vehicles for the Inner West extension line.

Financing

The NSW Government allocated $103m for the expansion in the 2011-12 budget of light rail, which included construction of the inner west extension, as well as investigations into further extensions. It also sanctioned $116m towards the light rail extension project from its budget for 2012-13. The Government also contributed an additional fund of $25m for the future development of the light rail.