Improving connectivity across Western Sydney.
The Parramatta Light Rail (PLR) delivered an integrated light rail service through Sydney’s second major urban hub, supporting population and employment growth across the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula area.
Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail, which commenced construction in 2019, connected the Parramatta CBD with key health, education, cultural, and sporting precincts, as well as surrounding residential and commercial growth areas.
The project scope included constructing the light rail track and depot, 16 platform stops, transport interchanges, roadworks, complex utility relocations, and pedestrian zones.
The project team achieved a ‘Leading’ sustainability rating from the Infrastructure Sustainability Council for incorporating innovative environmentally friendly features such as grass tracks, wire-free systems, recycled materials and noise and vibration reducing technologies.
The PLR project created significant local employment opportunities including apprenticeships and roles underprepared groups.
Scope
The project delivered extensive civil, structural, and systems works to establish a fully integrated light rail corridor across Parramatta. These included:
- Constructed 12 km of light rail track to establish the operational corridor.
- Built the light rail depot to house, maintain, and operate the fleet.
- A total of 15 bridges were either constructed, demolished or modified, over rail, water and road.
- Integrated the light rail with existing streets through roadworks and traffic management in a busy urban environment.
- Constructed 16 light rail stops on the base slab level.
- Built three interchanges, integrating the light rail with local transport networks.
- Completed utility relocations that supported track and station construction.
6
Six new bridges were constructed.
12km
Constructed 12 km of light rail track to establish the operational corridor.
16
16 light rail stops.
36%
Reduced carbon emissions by 36% through design and selective material use.
57%
57% of trades roles for apprentices.
Social impact
The Parramatta Light Rail project has delivered far-reaching social and environmental benefits, including:
- Improved access to health, education, cultural, and recreational precincts, enhancing mobility for local residents.
- Installed an Australian-first rail boot system on tracks in sensitive areas to reduce noise and vibration.
- Used macro synthetic fibres in the concrete track, a NSW first, reducing steel reinforcement, improving durability, and speeding up installation.
- Generated significant employment opportunities, with 57% of trades roles for apprentices and 14% of the workforce under 25-years-old.
- Reduced carbon emissions by 36% through wire-free design, recycled materials, and reuse of existing rail, sleepers, and ballast.
This project was delivered by the Downer Transport Projects business which operated from December 2014 – June 2023 as part of Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd. In June 2023, DT Infrastructure Pty Ltd acquired the assets of the Downer Transport Projects business, including the transfer of approximately 1,200 employees, intellectual property rights, plant and equipment and other assets, and the novation of a number of projects which were ongoing at the time of the acquisition.