The next stage of Sydney's metro train project is a step closer, with the state government confirming the locations of six stations across the CBD and city-fringe suburbs.
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance on Monday announced a boring machine would be in the ground by 2018 to dig twin tunnels about 40 metres below the surface between Chatswood and Sydenham.
Passengers are expected to be able to travel along the Sydney Metro City and Southwest lines from 2024.
The government has announced it will investigate a possible extension from the Bankstown end of the project to Liverpool, which could wipe 15 minutes off the journey from the southwestern hub suburb to the CBD.
"This is going to alleviate the enormous pressure that exists on the rail network currently," Mr Constance said of the metro lines.
"People are going to want to get out of their cars and get on the train to come into the city."
However, the project was likely to claim a number of homes and business places.
Mr Constance would not say how many properties the government would need to acquire but said consultation had already begun.
"Unfortunately there is a cost with construction, which we're very mindful of in terms of dealing with property-owners and the sensitivities there," he said.
Affected suburbs will include the CBD, North Sydney, Chatswood, Sydenham and Crows Nest.
Homeowners in Artarmon have had a reprieve, however, with the government's decision not to pursue plans for above-ground works along a 3km section of the existing railway corridor between Chatswood and St Leonards, which could have required residential property acquisition.
But locals will also miss out on a mooted metro station for the Artarmon Industrial Area, which has been dumped from the latest plans.
WHERE THE METRO STATIONS WILL GO:
* Crows Nest, with entrances at the corner of Clarke Street and Hume Street, and the corner of the Pacific Highway and Oxley Street
* Victoria Cross in North Sydney, with an access point on Miller Street between Berry Street and Mount Street
* Barangaroo Central on the harbour foreshore
* Martin Place, including a subterranean rail interchange
* Pitt Street, north of Park Street and south of Bathurst Street in the CBD
* Underground at Central Station, with links to existing intercity and suburban services
* A metro station may also be built at either Waterloo or Sydney University.
(Source: NSW government)
