CONSTRUCTION works to reuse materials from the former T6 Carlingford Rail Line, including ballast, sleepers and tracks, for the new Parramatta Light Rail have begun.
Member for Parramatta Dr Geoff Lee said the reuse of materials demonstrates the project’s commitment to achieving environmental and sustainable outcomes for the community while delivering light rail.
“Sustainability is top of mind for the project and these recovered components from the original single-track T6 Carlingford Rail Line are in excellent condition for reuse,” said Lee.
“More than half of the ballast, 60 per cent of the rail tracks and 50 per cent of the sleepers removed last year will be reused along the five-kilometre Carlingford to Camellia corridor to construct the new light rail.”
In preparation for its reuse, more than 8,000 cubic metres of ballast was washed and re-screened to meet specifications for the Parramatta Light Rail. Once the laying of the ballast is complete, the team will install the sleepers followed by the rail tracks.
Dr Lee said recycling these materials would benefit the project, the community and the environment in which the light rail will operate.
“This process will mean using less resources, achieving better time efficiencies, better environmental results and a more sustainable outcome for the community,” Lee said.
“By reusing these materials, we will reduce the Parramatta Light Rail’s carbon dioxide output by more than 3,500 tonnes.”
The single-track T6 Carlingford Rail Line permanently closed for the construction and conversion of the dual-track light rail in January 2020.
The 12-kilometre, $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail is to connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia and is expected to begin services in 2023.