THE NEXT FOUR YEARS

- In 2006-07 capital expenditure for transport related infrastructure will be some 32 per cent of the total State infrastructure budget and is the single largest area of expenditure.

- This year $3.2 billion will be invested across the transport network.

- Major transport programs encompassing improvements to bus, rail and ferry services mean that the State's capital investment in public transport will exceed investment in roads. Investment in rail, new rail carriages, the acquisition of rail corridors, bus priority measures and Transitways totals $1.6 billion, while investment in roads by the State and Commonwealth Governments amounts to $1.4 billion.2

- The CityRail network will be complemented by a network of 43 strategic bus corridors linking the 'City of Cities', major centres, railway stations, hospitals, education facilities and other community facilities.

- Recent bus reforms will allow the strategic network to be integrated with local bus services to create regions that better serve communities' travel needs. This will be progressively implemented from 2006. Supporting these reforms, the Government will provide:

• 505 State Transit Authority buses including 250 ultra-low emission 'euro 5' diesel buses, and 255 Compressed Natural Gas Buses for heavily-trafficked inner city areas

• Direct investment in private bus areas, with increased capacity on popular M2 bus routes

• Continued replacement of older buses, for both private and public operators, with all new buses air-conditioned and with low-floor access for wheelchair and pram users.

- The $1.5 billion Rail Clearways Program will untangle the metropolitan rail network and improve reliability by separating 14 rail routes into five independent clearways. The program is underway and scheduled for completion by the end of 2010.

- In excess of $2.5 billion is being invested in acquiring more than 730 rail cars. This includes around 600 new air-conditioned carriages for the suburban network to be delivered through a Public Private Partnership, 122 new cars for the outer suburban network and 14 for the Hunter network. As well, 141 new Millennium rail cars are now operating on the system, providing passengers with enhanced levels of safety and comfort.

- The $2 billion Epping to Chatswood Rail Line is on track for completion in 2008. The line will provide services from mid 2008 via three new underground rail stations, it will connect to a new bus interchange at Chatswood and provide additional CityRail capacity on the western line.

- In 2006-07, $129 million will be spent towards the acquisition of rail corridors for the North West and South West Sydney. State Environmental Planning Policy No 63, Major Transport Projects, preserves the two underground corridors for the central business district component of the Metropolitan Rail Expansion Program.

- The North West bus Transitway, linking Rouse Hill to Parramatta and Parklea to Blacktown is under construction and will open in 2007 at an estimated cost of $524 million, further improving journey times along this busy transport corridor.

- An integrated ticketing system for the greater metropolitan public transport system will be gradually phased in starting in 2006-07. This will provide commuters with the convenience of a single card for travel on all Government and privately operated rail, bus and ferry services.

- The Ports Growth Plan is underway and includes:

• Port Botany expansion delivering the necessary infrastructure for trade growth

• Intermodal logistics facilities to move more containers on rail and improve the distribution of goods throughout the Sydney Metropolitan area

• $140 million to relocate general cargo and car stevedoring from Port Jackson to Port Kembla as existing leases expire

• Facilitation of the construction of a new coal loader by the private sector to add to capacity at Newcastle Port.

- Upgrading of the Pacific Highway will continue under the Auslink Agreement, through which the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments will each contribute $480 million over three years. In a recent agreement both Governments have each contributed a further $160 million over the same period towards the upgrade.

- The Hume Highway requires major improvements. $800 million has been targeted by the Commonwealth Government to accelerate duplication by 2009.

- The upgrade of the Great Western Highway will also continue with sections of the Highway to be widened and additional passing lanes constructed to improve amenity and reduce congestion. An estimated $26 million will be spent in 2006-07 widening various sections of the Highway.

- In Sydney major upgrade roadworks that are continuing include:

• Old Windsor Road and Windsor Road estimated at $121 million in 2006-07

• Hume Highway at Ingleburn estimated at $14 million in total

• Cowpasture Road estimated at $5 million in 2006-07

• Camden Valley Way estimated at $3 million in 2006-07

• Extension of Narellen Road estimated at $15 million in 2006-07

- Other major Sydney roadworks include the duplication of Alfords Point Bridge estimated at $9 million in 2006-07, widening of the F3 between Mt Colah and Cowan estimated at $40 million in 2006-07, and the completion of the Lane Cove Tunnel.

- In Wollongong, the Northern Distributor Extension is continuing ($15 million in 2006-07) and in conjunction with the Commonwealth, upgrading the Princes Highway from South Nowra to Jervis Bay Road ($10 million in 2006-07) and the Nowra to Nerriga upgrade ($22 million in 2006-07).

- In conjunction with the Commonwealth, a new national network linking the F3 to the New England Highway west of Branxton ($10 million in 2006-07) and upgrading the New England Highway at Beresfield and Aberdeen ($25 million in 2006-07).

BEROWRA STATION

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2 RTA's capital expenditure budget is $1.6 billion and this includes bus priority measures and Transitways.