+25km
of infrastructure
INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Economic growth, social advancement and action against the climate emergency depend largely on investment in infrastructure, sustainable industrial development and technological progress. Today, about 1 billion people live more than 2 km from a roadway, 940 million live without electricity, and 663 million lack improved drinking water sources.
ACCIONA participates in the entire infrastructure construction value chain, from the identification of opportunity, design and execution, to the operation and maintenance of the constructed works, using the most advanced and innovative techniques.
Performance quality and safety are two of the criteria that maximize the company's value proposal in the development of large infrastructure projects and that differentiate it from other competitors in the construction field.
ACCIONA began with the project in 2014, forming the ALTRAC consortium as part of a public-private partnership (PPP) with the New South Wales Government.
As part of a Public Private Partnership with the NSW State government, ACCIONA was responsible for delivering the infrastructure for this iconic addition to Sydney’s transport network and a key initiative of Sydney’s Long Term Transport Master Plan.
It is a vital element of Sydney's public transport system, helping to ease traffic congestion, generating an estimated AUD 4 billion in economic activity and creating 10,000 jobs.
Sydney Light Rail is a new, sustainable and safe transport alternative that serves the needs of Sydney's growing population. This tram network, which was one of the core initiatives of the city's long-term transport plan, is a vital element in helping to alleviate traffic congestion, as well as connecting sport, leisure and health centres to the Central Business District and Circular Quay.
ACCIONA's Engineering Business Line provided design management and specialist technical support for construction execution. The project is associated with major service infrastructure relocations and extensive urban regeneration.
The new infrastructure has:
- 19 stops.
- A bridge and a tunnel.
- The Control Centre facilities.
- Light rail depots.
- Substations.
- Other buildings along the line.
South East Light Rail operates every four minutes at peak times in the CBD and every eight minutes to and from Randwick and Kingsford. Each service carries up to 450 passengers, equivalent to nine standard buses, generating untold accessibility benefits.
The initial opening date was December 2019 and project completion in March 2020. The value of the project is AU $2.1 billion.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Location: Sydney, Australia.
- Contract: PPP.
- Infrastructure: The CBD South East Light Rail line spans 12kms from Circular Quay to Sydney’s south eastern suburbs.
- Year of project completion: 2020
- Project Value: AU $2.9 billion.
- Operation and maintenance: 15 years.
KEY ASPECTS
The CBD and South East Light Rail is a new light rail network for Sydney. The line spans 12 km from Circular Quay to Sydney’s south eastern suburbs. A tunnel underneath Moore Park and a bridge over the Eastern Distributor roadway facilitate access to Randwick, Kensington and Kingsford.
Light rail redefines travel through the city, decongesting key routes through the CBD and linking up with important locations such as the sporting and entertainment facilities in Moore Park and Randwick, along with the University of NSW, TAFE and hospital precincts. The project design has increased pedestrian space through the creation of a pedestrian boulevard in the CBD and pocket parks in Surry Hills.
BENEFITS
- Caters for Sydney’s growing population.
- The light rail services can carry some 450 passengers, equivalent up to nine standard buses.
- The CBD South East Light Rail runs every four minutes in peak hour in the CBD and every eight minutes to and from Randwick and Kingsford.
- Improves access to major sporting and entertainment facilities at Moore Park and Randwick as well as to the University of NSW, TAFE and hospital precincts.
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY
Stakeholder involvement was crucial to the success of the project. The views and ideas of key stakeholders were invaluable in the early stages of the planning and development processes. Robust consultation added new insight into the operating environment and community and client needs, ensuring effective engagement that resulted in stakeholder satisfaction.
On 14 December 2019, ACCIONA and its consortium partners ALTRAC Light Rail, together with the New South Wales Government, celebrated a historic milestone for Australia, the opening of the CBE and South East Light Rail L2 Randwick to Circular Quay service, connecting the CBD to the south-eastern suburbs.
SOCIAL IMPACT MANAGEMENT
As a social initiative, to improve the passenger experience, the project will include a series of works of public art, including sculptures, street art, outdoor furniture and landscape designs.