Commuters will be forced to catch buses during closures of the Bankstown line.Credit:Peter Rae
The project for the second stage of the multibillion-dollar metro rail line involves converting a 13.5-kilometre stretch of the Bankstown line.
While yet to be finalised,the closure of the Bankstown line is expected to be repeated each Christmas for the next five years. Other work to convert the line is likely to take place during weekends when Sydney Trains carry out maintenance.
Transport for NSW coordinator general Marg Prendergast said replacement buses would be running multiple routes to lessen the disruption."We are really going to break up routes because we don't want to overload sites like Campsie station,"she said.
Ms Prendergast said patronage declined over the Christmas holidays by about 35 per cent,which was why authorities wanted to take advantage of the period to begin works.
The work on the metro line at Sydenham station will also impact the Illawarra line for four days over Christmas.Credit:Kate Geraghty
"It’s important that we balance the need to convert the T3 Bankstown Line as quickly as possible,with getting people where they need to go,"she said."We are trying to minimise the impact. We do envisage that the heavy rail infrastructure works will be done in Christmas periods."