- 38km or twisty track with a series of tunnels including a single track section with 20km of I assume dual tunnel.
- 7 stations would also be condensed to 1 maybe 2.
Cost is around $2 - 3B?
Obviously the time saving for the passengers is huge and there is also significant operating cost savings to both Sydney Trains and the freight operators. Currently Thirrol to Waterfall on an all stopper is ~40min, at an average of 80km/h in the tunnel this would be reduced to 15min (save 25min) with a stop at Helensbourogh and reduce complexity in the train timetable as no all stoppers and expresses are needed nth of Thirrol. Overall the current express services would be reduced to roughly 1hr, roughly as other suburban services in Greater Sydney and similar to Brisbane and Melbourne. 25min saving each way is 50min return is roughly 1-2 train sets eliminated from the current roster, plus less wheel wear and tear.
Sim's said its a Wollongong project, not a Sydney project. Incorrect. Sydney is going through a housing affordability crisis that is not projected to ease for nearly a generation, if ever!!! Greater Wollongong still has affordable housing with prices for moderate homes still around $0.5-0.6M (for a house), compare this with the Central Coast for similar as the crow flys distance and you can see there is obviously an access issue. Meanwhile in greater urban Sydney the govt is spending billions improving access via rail in some cases for suburbs that currently have good bus services. Potentially improving both road and rail will make the move to the south coast viable for up to 250,000 people over next 30 years. Think of all the stamp duty?
So the argument is, on a cost per commuter head basis is this better value for money than other projects in Sydney? Note the potential increased commercial pay back from freight. Yes other work is required nth of Sutherland, but this can be done in steps as extra services are required.