The first ‘skytrain’ section of the Sydney Metro project has been completed in north western Sydney.
The project, formerly known as the North West Rail Link includes a tunnel from Epping to Bella Vista then an elevated railway or skytrain from Bella Vista to Rouse Hill.
The first section of skytrain has been completed at the Rouse Hill end of the line.
NSW transport minister Andrew Constance said the design of the skytrain will mean reduced interruption to traffic during construction, allowing 50,000 vehicles a day to continue using Windsor Road. The elevated line will also prevent communities being divided once the rail line is operating.
“Sydney Metro will be a game changer for public transport and the team is setting a cracking pace,” Constance said.
“Two massive horizontal cranes are now in place at Kellyville and Cudgegong Road which together will build up to 70 metres of skytrain each week.”
Once the skytrain has been completed, work will begin on the elevated Metro stations at Kellyville and Rouse Hill, two of eight new stops on the line.
The project will include a new suspension bridge over Windsor Road built to a similar design to the Anzac Bridge in inner Sydney
The Minister said the 36 kilometre Sydney Metro Northwest project is on time and on budget with more than 60% of tunnelling complete.
This segment of the Metro is expected to open in 2019 with an additional tunnel to be built from Chatswood to Sydenham via the city which is expected to open in 2024.