Sydney Metro - Tallawong to Bankstown

[tonyp]

For those not versed on the intricacies of this project, especially how committed the government (any government) is - have they begun construction of this particular Metro, or are contracts signed and things about to happen? What sort of cost would the government incur by pulling out of something as big as this?

The project is contractually locked in and under construction. The majority of the $1.5 to $2 billion for the project has already been spent, the government is totally committed to it and the opposition supports its completion. That video is based on nothing more than idle gossip.

[Swift]

If Labor pulls the plug, it won't look good on their track record after the Rozelle Metro debacle which resulted in $0.5 billion down the drain. At least the $3.1b light rail has something to show. Labor need to proceed with this one.

[Transtopic]

One problem of this will be that there are now no dedicated platforms where T3 trains from Bankstown can terminate. What is the usage of the local lines, esp the up line, during busier periods?

Why would T3 trains need to terminate at Sydenham? They could continue to the City Circle as they do now on the Local. The issue of capacity on the City Circle in the event of cancellation of the metro conversion is another matter worthy of a new thread. There are other options, but not appropriate to discuss on this thread.

It was a mistake for the metro to surface at Sydenham and take over the existing Bankstown Line platforms 1 & 2, which cuts off the option of a potential sextuplication from Sydenham to Erskineville, for which previous provision had been made. The metro platforms should have been constructed underground, which would leave open its options for a future extension. But it's too late now. I don't think Sydney Metro gives a stuff about how its plans impact on the existing network. They're a rogue agency, which should be brought to heal.

The Local line from Sydenham to the CBD during the peak morning period currently caters for 10tph T3 Bankstown Line services and 4tph T8 express South West services to the City Circle, with the latter alternating stops at St Peters and Erskineville. At the Central flying junctions, the T3 services split 6tph via Town Hall and 4tph via Museum. The 4tph T3 services and 4tph peak T8 services via Museum merge with the 10tph T8 Airport Line services via the City Circle Inner. That amounts to 18tph, which leaves 2 spare paths on the CC via Museum.

However, this will change, assuming the Bankstown Line conversion proceeds, with all T8 services running via the Airport line, which is being upgraded to 18tph with the current signalling, and the Local from Sydenham to the new Eskineville crossovers to the Illawarra Dive to Sydney Terminal only catering for SCO and SHL Intercity services, as well as South Line Regional services which are generally outside the peak. St Peters and Erskineville will be catered for with an all stations T4 service on the Main and ESR to Bondi Junction and the SCO Intercity services will be redirected via the Local to Sydney Terminal. The proposed digital signalling and ATO upgrades will increase frequencies to 24tph, which would leave spare capacity on the City Circle, along with other potential upgrades, if the Bankstown Line conversion doesn't proceed. But as I said, potential future options are worthy of another thread.

[Transtopic]

For those not versed on the intricacies of this project, especially how committed the government (any government) is - have they begun construction of this particular Metro, or are contracts signed and things about to happen? What sort of cost would the government incur by pulling out of something as big as this?

The project is contractually locked in and under construction. The majority of the $1.5 to $2 billion for the project has already been spent, the government is totally committed to it and the opposition supports its completion. That video is based on nothing more than idle gossip.

Is it and what inside information do you have?

[tonyp]

Is it and what inside information do you have?

A project engineer without a gut issue.

Another contract has been signed:

https://www.sydneymetro.info/article/au ... stown-line

[Linto63]

It was a mistake for the metro to surface at Sydenham and take over the existing Bankstown Line platforms 1 & 2, which cuts off the option of a potential sextuplication from Sydenham to Erskineville, for which previous provision had been made.

With the Bankstown line services no longer a factor, the likelihood of sextuplication from Sydenham to Erskineville ever being needed has reduced even further.

Any project can be cancelled even after contracts have been signed, e.g. the East-West road link in Melbourne, or even after work has commenced, e.g. the Malton to Dombarton line. But once work is advanced as it is with this one, no chance. The project will be completed irrespective of whether there is a change of government, any talk to the contrary is just garbage.

[Transtopic]

It was a mistake for the metro to surface at Sydenham and take over the existing Bankstown Line platforms 1 & 2, which cuts off the option of a potential sextuplication from Sydenham to Erskineville, for which previous provision had been made.

With the Bankstown line services no longer a factor, the likelihood of sextuplication from Sydenham to Erskineville ever being needed has reduced even further.

My comment was in the context of a hypothetical scenario if the Bankstown Line conversion was cancelled and T3 continued to run to the City Circle, but until such time that ever happens, it's not worth discussing further.

[gascoyne]

For a news clip recording the new track connection south of Chatswood (well, almost new - it was made on a recent trackwork weekend) see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIqVyRwWP7c

[tonyp]

An interesting insight into the tunneling and power supply for the City and South-west section.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4ORph-Oyxo&t