Fast Rail Sydney to Central West – Strategic Business Case
Client:
Transport for NSW
Location:
Central West, NSW
Approx Area:
300 km (length of corridor)
Status:
Completed, 2020
Contact Person:
Michele McSharry
Architectus collaborated with Transport for NSW (TfNSW), WSP (Civil engineering), Mecone (land use and planning) and Arup (traffic and transport engineering) to prepare a strategic business case for a 300-kilometre Fast Rail service that connects Sydney with the Central West region of New South Wales. The project aspires to improve rail experience and patronage, create safe pedestrian and public domain amenities, and support the connections within the towns and between regional centres that are united by the service. The project is currently being assessed by infrastructure NSW to proceed to the next stage.
We applied our expertise in urban design and complex, large-scale transport projects, focusing on the importance of place, placemaking and local character. Our study identifies strategies that will contribute to the success of Fast Rail, including increasing connectivity, encouraging rail patronage, improving the customer experience, and supporting the regional centres.
At a corridor level, we prepared a comprehensive analysis of the landscape conditions and potential visual and physical impacts of proposed rail alignment options. We also identified focus areas for further analysis and potential design changes/mitigation.
At a precinct scale, through a comprehensive site visit and desktop analysis, we prepared a detailed study of six precincts: Lithgow, Bathurst, Blayney, Orange, Parkes and Dubbo. The analysis included a summary of constraints and opportunities at town and precinct scales, which informed the design opportunities.
Station design concepts proposed improvements including legible and safe access, connections and interchange opportunities, improved public domain amenity, new station infrastructure, integration with heritage, local character and the town centre.
Client:
Transport for NSW
Location:
Central West, NSW
Approx Area:
300 km (length of corridor)
Status:
Completed, 2020
Contact Person:
Michele McSharry
Key People
Michele McSharry
Principal
Sydney
Nick Bucktin
Senior Associate
Sydney