The South West Rail Link Project (SWRL) is a rail-expansion between Leppington and Glenfield in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The North South Wales (NSW) government officially opened the link in February 2015, one year ahead of the original schedule.
The project addresses issues of reliability and passenger growth on the metropolitan rail network in south-west Sydney. It was delivered by Transport Construction Authority (TCA), a NSW government agency.
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The SWRL improves rail access for people in south-west Sydney by providing direct links to major employment centres at Liverpool, Parramatta and the central business district (CBD) of Sydney. It will also deliver essential transportation infrastructure for the future population increase in the region.
The project was completed at a cost of $1.8bn, $300m under the initial estimated budget of $2.1bn. The SWRL created around 3,000 jobs a year during the construction period.
South West Rail Link project details
The SWRL works at Glenfield were approved in March 2009 and the project broke ground in August that year. The final planning approval for the new line component of the project was received in November 2010.
The South West Rail Link project included the laying of a new 11.4km-long twin track between Glenfield and Leppington, which required 3,000 rail sleepers, 31km of track and 100,000t of ballast. The new rail line was connected to the existing Main South Line to the south of Glenfield station.
Construction of new stations at Edmondson Park and Leppington began in March 2012 and was completed in September 2014. A new train-stabling facility was also built at the end of the line at Rossmore.
The project also included major rail works at the Glenfield rail junction. A station upgrade with four new lifts and a new concourse was completed in September 2012.
A rail flyover was also built at the Glenfield Junction by June 2014. The flyover allows two trains to cross through the junction, ensuring more reliable services to the passengers.
The project also included the construction of 14 bridges, which were completed by September 2014.
Infrastructure
The new Leppington station features lifts, a street-level concourse and parking space for 850 cars. Edmondson Park station has 400 commuter car parking bays and a street-level concourse.
The Glenfield station upgrade included construction of a fourth platform, an upgrade of the rail / bus interchange, a new station concourse, lifts and realignment of Railway Parade.
The Glenfield multi-storey commuter car park provides space for approximately 700 cars and includes facilities such as parking for unlimited time, lifts, CCTV and security lighting.
The Rossmore stabling facility provides parking facilities for up to 20 eight-car train sets.
Rolling stock
The rail line was integrated with the existing CityRail Sydney metropolitan rail network. CityRail rolling stock includes Millenium, Waratah and the older double-deck suburban trains.
Contracts
The Glenfield Junction Alliance undertook the Glenfield Transport Interchange works, including construction of the northern and southern flyovers and the upgrade of Glenfield Station and rail / bus interchange. It was led by the TCA in partnership with Parsons Brinckerhoff, MacMahon Contractors, Bouygues Travaux Publics and MVM Rail.
Tenix built the Glenfield electrical substation.
In December 2010, John Holland was awarded the design and construction contract for the new rail line component of the project between Glenfield and Leppington.
Glenfield Commuter Car Park was completed by St Hilliers.
Other developments
Construction of the multi-storey car park at Glenfield was completed and opened to public in September 2010.
The commuter car park in Seddon Park, Glenfield, was finished and opened in October 2009. The extended car park provides 112 free unlimited parking spaces.
Construction of the northern and southern flyovers started in June 2010.
The northern flyover will separate the East Hills and the South Lines, and the southern flyover will connect the new rail line with the existing rail network.
Other works included construction of a new power substation, re-alignment of Roy Watts Road and track-laying works. The first rail track was laid in May 2011.
