South West. Land for rail link

The Department of Planning has spent $128 million on all land acquired for the South-West Rail Link. Seventy-five parcels of land have been transferred to the Transport Construction Authority for building the rail link. A spokesman for the department said that a total of 23 parcels of land were compulsorily acquired at Leppington and Edmondson Park, while 37 were acquired by negotiation.

South West. Premier inspects rail track

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian inspected the first new track laid as part of the $2.1 billion South West Rail Link project. Mr O’Farrell said the 11-kilometre twin-track line would connect Glenfield to Leppington via Edmondson Park Trains are expected to start running on the link in 2016. An estimated 110,000 new homes would be built in this area over the next 30 years – and the population would grow by 300,000.

Region. Freight line above estimate

The Southern Sydney Freight Line, considered crucial for reducing the amount of freight carried by trucks in Sydney and throughout the state, is expected to be finished by the end of next year. It will have cost $350 million, well above the most recent estimate of $309 million. Work was suspended on the project in October 2009 and only resumed in September. Brian Dale, a spokesman for the Australian Rail Track Corporation, which is building the line, said the delay was caused by ''design and construction issues and working through signalling with Railcorp'', to allow work on the line without disrupting CityRail services.

South-West. John Holland wins rail contract

The John Holland Group has been awarded the contract for the next phase for the $2.1 billion South West Rail Link project, with construction well underway and already supporting 1500 jobs. Work is expected to start work in early 2011. The contract includes construction of an 11.4 kilometre rail line between the existing Glenfield station and East Rossmore, two new stations at Edmondson Park and Leppington, a train stabling facility at East Rossmore. The link is expected to be completed in 2015, with rail services integrated into the CityRail network by 2016.

Glenfield. EOI called for rail line

The Transport Construction Authority is calling for expressions of interest for project management, commercial management and schedule management services contractors within the integrated project delivery team for the management of the Glenfield to Leppington rail line design and construction contract.

South West. Stage 2 on public exhibition

Stage B2 of the South West Rail Link project incorporating 11 kilometres of double track rail line including rail infrastructure, two train stations at Edmondson Park and Leppington; and a train stabling facility at Rossmore, west of Leppington, is on public exhibition.

Region. Short list for South West Rail Link

The Minister for Transport and Roads, David Campbell, has announced the shortlist of tenderers for another component of the South-West Rail Link: Leighton Abigroup Joint Venture, John Holland Pty Ltd and Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd. The contract covers the design and construction of the section of the project between Glenfield south and Leppington, including: new stations at Edmondson Park and Leppington, commuter car parking at both new stations and a train stabling facility at Leppington. The successful contractor would be named later in the year.