Sydney's Goods Line Project Shows Long-Range Planning

An old and unused urban rail line in Sydney, Australia is being converted into an appealing public space that will start with pedestrian walkways and bicycle network showcasing a number of elevated spaces and public platforms that will be used for various forms of public entertainment.

According to the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, which oversees the project, the final product will open up a pedestrian and cycle network from Railway Square through Ultimo to Darling Harbour.

The Goods Line will create a new urban hub and connect more than 80,000 tertiary students, locals and visitors to the many major attractions of Sydney’s much-loved Darling Harbour.
The corridor will feature a series of elevated spaces or platforms which can be used for a variety of public entertainment, recreation, study and other activities.
It will further connect arts, education and cultural institutions along Sydney’s Cultural Ribbon.
The unique design, created by ASPECT Studios and Choi Ropiha Fighera, captures and interprets the original heritage corridor, state significant rail underbridge and signal box.
It will be a great new public space for pop-up events, invigorating and bringing new activity into the precinct.
The Goods Line North is the upcoming stage of a larger project. The next stage will be to redesign The Goods Line South, which runs from Ultimo Road underbridge through to Railway Square. In total, the northern and southern sections will be approximately 500 metres long.
The Goods Line North is approximately 250 metres long and extends from Ultimo Rail underbridge to the Powerhouse Museum, running parallel to Harris Street.
The construction contract for The Goods Line North has been awarded to Gartner Rose through a competitive tender process.
Work on The Goods Line North will begin in March 2014 and is expected to be completed in November 2014 to coincide with the opening of the UTS Frank Gehry designed Dr Chau Chak Wing Business School.
Transport for NSW is conducting a feasibility study on a further extension of The Goods Line through to Mortuary Station and Redfern.