NWRL - Second Sydney Harbour Tunnel

THE man in charge of the $8.3 billion North West Rail Link said he is building the line on the assumption a second Harbour rail crossing will follow and that Tube-like single-deck trains will then travel all through Sydney.     Transport for NSW's North West Rail Link project director Rodd Staples said his department was working on the concept of a second Harbour rail crossing - a tunnel from Chatswood through St Leonards and involving the creation of a new station at North Sydney. The director's comments show the dilemma facing Premier Barry O'Farrell because, although Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian has stated she wants a second Harbour rail crossing, it is completely unfunded, would cost $10 billion to $15 billion and would likely require the sale of the $30 billion electricity poles and wires.

There is no plan, let alone a funded plan, for this second harbour tunnel.  When the O'Farrell party was elected into govenment it was on a promise to provide compatible train sets that could run from Rouse Hill to the city, sharing with North Shore and Northern Line trains to minimise customer inconvenience.  Since the election they changed to offering the Mickey Mouse train that can only reach the city after the hypothetical second harbour crossing is built.  Meanwhile commuters must change trains repeatedly to reach the city.