Revitalising Urban Mobility with Sustainable Infrastructure
The Sydney Light Rail project involved complex excavation, utilities installation, and civil works across the CBD and Eastern Suburbs, enhancing urban connectivity and revitalising Sydney’s public transport network.
Project Overview
Diona played a pivotal role in the enabling works for the Sydney Light Rail infrastructure project on behalf of Acciona, delivering comprehensive multi-utility relocation and installation services.
Project Need
The Sydney Light Rail project, which involved the construction of 24 kilometres of track from the Sydney CBD to the Eastern Suburbs of Randwick and Kingsford, was initiated to address the growing urban congestion and population pressures in Sydney. With the city’s existing transport infrastructure struggling to keep pace with demand, particularly in the CBD and Eastern Suburbs, there was an urgent need for a modern, efficient public transport solution. The project aimed to reduce traffic congestion, improve commute times, and lower pollution by reintroducing light rail, revitalising the city’s transport network, and creating a more connected and liveable urban environment.
Project Solution
Starting in 2015, Diona was responsible for delivering extensive excavation and utilities relocation and installation across key sections of the CBD and South East Light Rail network. Operating within Sydney’s central business district presented the challenge of accurately identifying and managing the complex web of underground services. Diona’s established relationships with utilities owners positioned us well to navigate these complexities, ensuring that work around live services was carried out in strict compliance with health, safety, environmental, and accreditation standards. Throughout the project, Diona provided robust solutions to emerging design challenges and consistently demonstrated leadership through a strong team safety culture.
The project reached a historic milestone in June 2019 when the first tram in 61 years travelled up George Street to Sydney Town Hall, heralding a new era in Sydney’s public transport.
Value Add | Benefit
Expertise in Urban Infrastructure Management
Diona’s extensive experience in dense urban environments, particularly in Sydney’s CBD, was critical to the successful delivery of the Sydney Light Rail project. With strong relationships with utilities owners and expertise in managing complex underground services, we efficiently navigated the challenges of working around live services.
Commitment to Safety and Compliance
Diona maintained an unwavering commitment to health, safety, and environmental standards, strictly adhering to accreditation requirements. Our strong safety culture ensured the well-being of both workers and the community, consistently exceeding industry expectations.
Robust Problem-Solving and Leadership
Throughout the project, Diona demonstrated robust problem-solving capabilities, offering innovative solutions to emerging design challenges. Our proactive leadership and ability to adapt to the dynamic conditions of a complex urban project underscored their role as a trusted partner in delivering critical infrastructure in challenging environments.
Key Aspects
Diona identified early in the project that major intersection crossings were a critical path. Diona provided experienced engineering and multi-disciplined teams to successfully deliver the necessary works across 13 intersections. This effort included working more than 140 weekends, in addition to the 18-20 Diona crews working during the week, to ensure timely delivery with minimal disruption to the community.
Eleven substations were built across the alignment to power the light rail. Diona’s teams worked on four substation builds, including Surry Hills, Central Station, Haymarket and Circular Quay.
The team successfully constructed and commissioned the Hay Street substation in 2018, to power the light rail through to the CBD South. This involved building a three-storey concrete frame structure, completing the fit-out and architectural works, and connecting multiple electrical conduits to the new rail corridor.
Additionally, Diona undertook extensive undergrounding of electrical services in the suburbs of Surry Hills, Randwick, and Kingsford, including upgrading the Ausgrid network as the nominated ASP1 installer.
As a reputable Sydney Water installer, Diona worked on multiple sites throughout the CBD, including the Tank Stream project at Circular Quay and the demolition and rebuilding of several old water assets along George Street. These works included multiple deep trench sewer rebuilds, some up to five metres deep, at major road intersections. Following the installation of deep trench services, Diona teams assisted in the final stages of installing shallow services such as communications, TPS, and traffic signal routes.
Diona’s civil works included the installation of surface drainage systems, involving Aco channel, kerb and gutter installations, as well as paving and asphalting works. The team also constructed the light rail stop platforms, with the finished concrete becoming a feature of the final project aesthetics. The project entered the testing and commissioning phase, focusing on proving laid conduits, pipes, and addressing punch list items, leading to a successful handover to the client.
ESG Alignment
The Sydney Light Rail project supports environmental sustainability by reducing traffic congestion and vehicle emissions through the provision of a high-capacity public transport alternative. The project also incorporated sustainable construction practices, such as the use of environmentally responsible materials and advanced stormwater management systems, which minimised the environmental impact during construction and contributed to the long-term sustainability of Sydney’s urban infrastructure.
The project has a significant social impact by improving urban mobility and accessibility, allowing residents and visitors to travel more efficiently between the CBD and Eastern Suburbs. By upgrading essential utilities and infrastructure, the project also enhances the quality of life for the community, ensuring that the city remains functional and resilient.
The Sydney Light Rail project exemplifies strong governance through strict compliance with health, safety, environmental, and accreditation requirements. Diona’s adherence to high operational standards and their leadership in safety culture ensured that the project was delivered responsibly and transparently, meeting the expectations of stakeholders and setting a benchmark for future infrastructure projects. This approach not only safeguarded the well-being of workers and the community but also upheld the integrity and accountability of the project’s execution.
The construction of substations along the light rail route is aligned with the goal of providing affordable and clean energy. These substations not only power the light rail system but also contribute to the city’s energy efficiency by supporting the transition to cleaner energy sources and reducing the overall energy consumption of the transport network.
The project stimulated economic growth by creating numerous jobs across various sectors, from engineering and construction to operations and maintenance. It also supported local businesses and suppliers, contributing to the broader economic development of Sydney.
The project supports the development of resilient infrastructure by modernising Sydney’s public transport system and upgrading essential utilities. The introduction of light rail enhances urban mobility, reduces traffic congestion, and promotes sustainable industrial growth through the creation of jobs and the use of innovative construction practices.
By providing a high-capacity, environmentally friendly transport option, the Sydney Light Rail project contributes to making Sydney more sustainable and accessible. The project also improves the city’s liveability by reducing pollution, conserving energy, and ensuring that urban infrastructure meets the needs of both current and future populations.
The reduction of vehicle emissions through the promotion of public transport directly supports climate action efforts. The light rail system helps mitigate climate change by decreasing the reliance on private vehicles and encouraging the use of cleaner, more sustainable modes of transport.
The project exemplifies the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable development. Diona’s collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including government bodies, utilities owners, and the community, ensured that the project was delivered successfully and in alignment with broader sustainability goals.
