Overview
The imminent opening of the new Sydney Metro line has been hogging the public infrastructure spotlight of late, but there is another Sydney transport project also nearing completion that deserves to be on your radar. While the City and Southwest Metro line will connect Chatswood north of the harbour with Sydenham in the south, the new L4 Light Rail line will offer easier access between Westmead and Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD in the city's west.
Since December 2023, testing has been taking place on the new light rail route to ensure all 16 stops on the 12-kilometre line and the systems that serve them are in good working order. Much like the tests currently being conducted on the Metro extension, the L4's final phase of assessments, which commenced on July 8, has been putting operators through their paces, with simulations of emergencies and unexpected disruptions to make sure no situation, no matter how challenging, is beyond the capabilities of light rail staff. A date for the start of public services is yet to be announced.
"L4 will deliver more convenient and connected journeys for tens of thousands of people every day. This will make it easier for people to move between work, home, and key areas like the Westmead Health Precinct, Parramatta CBD and CommBank Stadium," NSW Premier Chris Minns said. "The people of Western Sydney deserve this kind of public transport — and these final tests mean it's looking like all systems go for the L4 in the coming months."
The opening of the L4 line is just one of a number of transport initiatives being delivered in and around Parramatta that will make Western Sydney more connected. A second light rail line with 14 new stops connecting Ermington with Olympic Park via Parramatta was granted funding in the state's 2024/25 budget and the Western Sydney extension of the Metro is scheduled to reach completion by 2032.
These infrastructure works are closely aligned with Parramatta's 25-year rejuvenation pathway. The Parramatta 2050 vision aims to transform Sydney's western CBD into a world-class cultural, educational and creative hub by the middle of the century.
Job creation initiatives, investment in cultural institutions like Riverside Theatres and the soon-to-open Powerhouse Parramatta, support for live music and hospitality venues to revitalise the 24-hour economy, and the construction of a major new indoor arena where festivals, sporting events and marquee happenings can be staged are all part of the draft plans. The creation of a new university campus at Westmead will also better position Parramatta as a drawcard for international and domestic students.
One of the more ambitious undertakings outlined in the Parramatta 2050 plans will establish five distinct zones around the city, each serving a different purpose. These will include a Health and Innovation District in Westmead and North Parramatta; a Headquarters District in the CBD as a hub for international investment and business; a Model City District around Camellia and Rosehill modelling green infrastructure and regenerative approaches to urban living; a Future Jobs District in Silverwater as a pathfinding enterprise for emergent industries; and a Celebration District at Sydney Olympic Park where major public events are held.
Find more details about the new L4 Light Rail route on the Transport for NSW website.
Images: Transport for NSW