Following its work on stage 1, UK consulting engineer Arup has been appointed to investigate the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail scheme in Sydney, Australia.

Parramatta Light Rail is one of the New South Wales’ Government’s latest major infrastructure projects, additional to the massive Sydney Metro project, which runs underground.

Opening in 2023, stage 1 is a 12-km two-way overground track from Westmead to Carlingford, via the central business district (CBD) of the growing suburb of Parramatta.

Stage 2 is planned as a 9-km line from Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Ermington, Melrose Park, and Wentworth Point.

According to the NSW government, the Parramatta Light Rail will provide frequent, reliable, ‘turn up and go’ light rail services for the Greater Parramatta region, with around 28,000 people getting on and off every day by 2026.

Arup’s project director Ryan Andriessen said: “We started out as infrastructure technical adviser, assisting in the planning and procurement of Stage 1 which will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia. Since then, the agency’s trust in our ability to deliver has kept increasing, and they’ve enacted several options to the original contract.

“This has opened up a lot of doors to future opportunities, with contracts that extend through to 2023 to provide on-going technical support for the early, enabling and main works packages for Stage 1, including design reviews and construction phase services.

“Our brief has grown again to include investigations for Stage 2, which will create a branch to Sydney Olympic Park via Ermington and Wentworth Point, continuing to connect communities, culture and commerce.”

Image: Render of Parramatta Light Rail train station (Arup)