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Australia’s infrastructure is booming, with several significant rail projects happening across the nation. The projects are boosting the economy, reducing congestion, creating jobs and making life better for people by making it easier to get around.

We have put together a list of major rail projects currently in progress, all of which are responsible for boosting the local economy. Their budget estimates are provided based on the information available on public domain.

• Sydney Metro (NSW), $12 Billion
• Parramatta Light Rail (NSW): $2.4 Billion
• Port Botany Rail Line Duplication (NSW): $400 Million
• Melbourne Metro Tunnel (VIC), $11 Billion
• Melbourne Airport Rail Link (VIC), $10 Billion
• Monash Rail Upgrade (VIC): $475 Million
• Frankston to Baxter Line Upgrade (VIC): $225 Million
• Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail (National), $9.3 Billion
• Cross River Rail (QLD), $5.4 Billion
• Gold Coast Light Rail (QLD): $2.7 Billion
• Brisbane Metro (QLD): $1.244 Billion
• Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (QLD): $550.8 Million
• METRONET (WA), $3 Billion
• Gawler Rail Electrification Project (SA): $615 Million

Here are details of a few major projects in progress or recently completed in Australia:

GEOCONSOL team has provided input to some of these major rail projects on behalf of their previous employers.

Sydney Metro: $12 Billion

The Sydney Metro is Australia's largest public transportation project, previously known as the North West Rail Link. Sydney will feature 31 metro railway stations and a 66-kilometre standalone metro train system by 2024, revolutionising travel in Australia's largest metropolis. The Sydney Metro is divided into two sections:

• Stage 1 - Sydney Metro Northwest: Sydney Metro submitted a State Significant Infrastructure proposal in April 2020, seeking authorisation for the Sydney Metro West Concept and Stage 1 construction between Westmead and The Bays Precinct, which includes tunnelling and station excavation. Approximately 24-kilometres of twin tunnels between Westmead and the Sydney CBD 8 New metro stations: Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays, and Sydney CBD A turn-up-and-go metro service operating between Westmead and Sydney CBD
• Stage 2 - Sydney Metro City and Southwest: The second stage of the Sydney Metro will be a 30-kilometre metro rail expansion from the end of the Sydney Metro Northwest to Chatswood, past the new CBD stations, and southwest to Bankstown. The project's current phase is planned to be completed in 2024. For Sydney Metro City and Southwest, the NSW Budget allotted $8.3 billion over the forwards' estimates in 2020-21, including $2.7 billion in FY2020-21.