2011 Proposal
The route proposal put forward in May 2011 by the State Government is a 23 km (14 mi) route that calls for six new stations, and the possibility of two more at some point in the future. The proposed stations are:
- (connection with existing Sydney Trains system at Epping)
- Cherrybrook
- Castle Hill
- Hills Centre
- Norwest 1
- Norwest 2
Kellyville (Burns Road)- Samantha Riley Drive (possible)
- Rouse Hill
- Cudgegong Road (possible)
The current proposed stations are listed below:
- (connection with existing CityRail system at Epping)
- Cherrybrook
- Castle Hill
- Hills Centre
- Norwest
- Bella Vista
- Kellyville
- Rouse Hill
- Cudgegong Road
Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Hills Centre and Norwest stations will be underground, whereas Kellyville and Rouse Hill will be above ground. The twin tunnels between Epping and Kellyville, at 15.5 km (9.6 mi) long, will be the longest rail tunnels in Sydney when they are built. They will also be the deepest tunnels in Sydney: 67 m (220 ft) below ground at the deepest point below the intersection of Pennant Hills Road and Castle Hill Road—deeper than the floor of Sydney harbour (about 50 m (160 ft)), and much deeper than the deepest point of the City Circle tunnels at St James (about 11 m (36 ft)). Most of the tunnel will be bored, although the section at Kellyville will be constructed using cut-and-cover techniques. As of December 2011, tunnelling is expected to begin in 2014, subject to planning approval.
A new train stabling yard will be constructed at Tallawong Road in Rouse Hill, with room for 16 trainsets.
3,000 new parking spaces will be provided across proposed carparks at Cherrybrook, Hills Centre and Kellyville stations.
Read more about this topic: North West Railway Line, Sydney, Proposed Route