By Transport for NSW
Innovative technology and inventive engineering will be used during major construction of the Parramatta Light Rail to minimise disruption to local businesses along the famed ‘Eat Street’.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said customers will also enjoy an additional four months of outdoor dining before hoardings go up.
“Our local businesses are the heart and soul of Parramatta and we have worked closely with them to understand the potential impacts of light rail construction,” Mr Constance said.
“We’ve guaranteed major construction in Eat Street won’t start until 2020 ensuring visitors can enjoy the precinct during summer without construction hoardings.”
The Parramatta Light Rail construction plan will see Church Street closed to car traffic from 1 February 2020, from the Riverside Theatre to Centenary Square, including the ‘Eat Street’ dining strip. After this, the construction team will establish mobile work sites and temporary hoardings along Church Street, with major construction to begin in June.
Also from February, a micro-tunnelling machine (around 1.5 metres in diameter) will construct drainage beneath the street from Centenary Square to the Parramatta River – intended to reduce noise and impact compared to street-level works.
Parramatta Light Rail infrastructure works contractors Parramatta Connect (CPB Downer Joint Venture) are using augmented reality and digital 3D technology to map more than 300 utility services, which will provide real-time updates to inform construction planning.
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said a construction grace period had also been introduced by Transport for NSW so businesses can benefit from the busier summer trading period.
“As promised, from 1 November until 31 January each year, the hoardings will come down, outdoor dining will be temporarily restored and we will work with local businesses to deliver activities and events to attract people to the Parramatta CBD.”
Macquarie, George, Philip and Market Streets will remain open to vehicles to keep the Parramatta CBD moving during construction.
