Construction on Eat Street

The Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, revitalising the region and communities along the route. Major construction on Eat Street commenced mid-2020 and was completed in October 2021.

Lennox Bridge

A revitalised Eat Street has reopened following the completion of major light rail construction on the dining strip from Lennox Bridge to George Street.

Transport for NSW acknowledges that building in the heart of an active city centre presents significant challenges. The Parramatta Light Rail will transport around 16,000 customers every day into a new shared light rail and pedestrian zone within ‘Eat Street’, a famed dining precinct along Church Street offering outdoor dining, bars, restaurants and cafés.

Transport for NSW is committed to supporting and managing impacts on local businesses during construction, and continues to work closely with local business owners to ensure they have the information and support they require.

What’s happening?

In October 2021, major light rail construction on Parramatta’s ‘Eat Street’ dining strip was completed and the precinct was returned to sophisticated outdoor dining.

To celebrate the completion of major construction on the dining strip, a TfNSW activation called ‘Eat Street Uncovered’ is being delivered in stages over the coming months in a Covid safe way to bring the area to life and encourage the community to rediscover the delights of the local restaurants, cafes and bars.

Transport for NSW will continue to deliver campaigns and initiatives to attract the local community and visitors to restaurants and shops along the Parramatta Light Rail route.

In 2022, construction work to build the light rail stop between George and Phillip Streets, Parramatta, will occur.

Supporting local businesses

The construction schedule on Parramatta's Eat Street was developed to minimise impacts on local businesses as much as possible. In late 2020, the schedule was amended in response to Covid-19 where consultation with the Business Reference Group and Eat Street businesses led to work continuing through a planned three month construction break, bringing forward the completion of major construction.

Nearly 2000 metres of colourful shadecloth and hoarding was installed to highlight the array of local retailers and to reflect the popular dining area’s rich cultural diversity.

After listening to feedback from local businesses, construction did not take place on Eat Street between the hours of 6pm and midnight without prior consultation, meaning businesses could operate with minimal disruption during the evening trade.

More than 150 businesses along the alignment have signed up to free business support from Realise Business, appointed by Transport for NSW.

‘Activate Parramatta’, a Transport for NSW plan for businesses impacted by light rail construction, has also been developed to promote local businesses, events and activities, including local area marketing campaigns offering special deals and discounts. Visit Supporting businesses to find out more.

Parramatta Light Rail will provide a boost to businesses, with around 28,000 people expected to get on and off light rail services everyday by 2026, with stops located in and around ‘Eat Street’ and Parramatta Square.

Our commitment

The construction of major public transport infrastructure is governed by a number of conditions including working with communities on mitigation measures. Transport for NSW worked with our contractor Parramatta Connect to ensure construction was completed quickly as possible with as little disruption to businesses. This included:

  • No more than four nights worked over seven days
  • Highly noise-intensive works are limited to a maximum of two consecutive nights
  • Noise blankets applied to hoardings where noisy work occurs
  • Dust managed with measures that include water sprays from guerneys or carts, and run-off (dust and debris) managed with silt barriers
  • Any overnight works impacting footpaths completed by 8am, with footpaths restored.

More information can be found at Light rail construction.

Keeping you informed

Transport for NSW is committed to providing regular and frequent information to the community and local businesses about the Parramatta Light Rail program, to manage impacts and keep people informed.

For several years now, Transport for NSW place managers have been door-knocking, surveying and talking to businesses along the alignment to gain a better understanding of how local businesses operate, and to provide information and updates about the project.

Parramatta Light Rail features and benefits

  • High-frequency ‘turn-up-and-go’ light rail services seven days a week, approximately every 7.5 minutes during peak periods.
  • 16 fully accessible stops, integrated into the urban environment.
  • Modern and comfortable air-conditioned vehicles, 45m long and driver-operated, carrying up to 300 customers.
  • Will integrate with rail, bus, Metro and/or ferry facilities at Westmead, Parramatta CBD and Carlingford.
  • Two shared light rail and pedestrian zones will be created along Church Street (between Market and Macquarie Streets) and Macquarie Street (between Horwood Place and Smith Street), Parramatta.
  • The Parramatta Light Rail will replace the train line between Camellia and Carlingford, offering frequent “turn up and go” services to connect Carlingford, Camellia, Parramatta and Westmead.
  • A new Active Transport Link (shared walking and bike riding path) will be built between Carlingford and Parramatta.
  • Fully integrated with the NSW Opal ticketing system for seamless travel.
  • Expected to take the equivalent of 25,000 cars off the road by 2041.