The Government of New South Wales in Australia has confirmed A$6.4bn ($4.4bn) of funding for the Sydney Metro West project, as part of its 2019 to 2020 state budget.
The total funding will be made available in four years and will accelerate construction of the project.
New South Wales Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said: “We always said we would build Metro West as fast as possible. This commitment in the State Budget shows that when we commit to doing something, we mean business.”
The Sydney Metro West project will be an underground metro line connecting the Parramatta and Sydney central business districts. The project was announced by the government in November 2016.
Once complete, the metro line will connect key regions of Greater Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, The Bays Precinct and the Sydney CBD.
Minister Constance added that the Sydney Metro West project will more than double the existing rail capacity between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.
It is also expected to decrease journey times between Parramatta and the city to around 20 minutes.
Construction works are expected to begin next year. The construction schedule will be confirmed following the completion of the final business case.
Minister Constance also said that the construction of the Sydney Metro City and Southwest railway line has already commenced.
Last month, the first stage of the Sydney Metro called the North West Metro line started commercial services.
The 36km-long rail line is a fully automated driverless metro system and stretches from Rouse Hill to Chatswood. It includes 13 stations.
