Six years after the government put a faster rail trip to Sydney on the agenda, it could still be more than a decade before commuters see any action.
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In 2012, the government released its Long Term Transport Master Plan, which included ways to “deliver faster travel times and greater travel reliability between Wollongong and Sydney”.
Over the weekend, the Berejiklian government released a 40-year blueprint for regional transport – which includes the Illawarra.
Called the Regional NSW Services and Infrastructure Plan, it again promises “reduced journey times” and more reliability in order to get the Wollongong-Sydney commute down to an hour.
Despite stating this aim six years ago, the 2018 report lists a time-frame for “investigation” of 0-10 years.
The 2018 report states any reduction in travel time will be due to “targeted fixed infrastructure improvements (for example, new deviations to eliminate curvatures and flatten grades)” and a new rail crossing through the escarpment.
It claims this will allow trains to travel at speeds of up to 100km/h, which is faster than the 50-60km/h average currently seen on the South Coast line.
The report said a draft Illawarra-Shoalhaven Future Transport Plan will offer more detail, but does not give a release date.
It claims this will allow trains to travel at speeds of up to 100km/h, which is faster than the 50-60km/h average currently seen on the South Coast line.
READ MORE: South Coast trains to speed up … eventually
Also in the 0-10 year investigation category are improvements to Picton and Appin roads, the introduction of new bus services for housing areas as they are being built and, further south, the duplication of the Princes Highway from Jervis Bay Road to Moruya.
The Maldon-Dombarton is listed as a 10-20 year priority, though related upgrades to Coniston junction are a 0-10 year initiative.
Electrification of the rail line from Bomaderry to Nowra comes with a 10-20-year time-frame.
The report identified the Illawarra escarpment will mean “significant investment” will be needed to improve connections to Sydney.