Sophie Cotsis MP; Jo Haylen MP; John Graham, Minister for Transport; Jezz D’Arienzo, Councillor for the Inner West Council; and Councillor Mat Howard at the opening of the new Dulwich Hill station plaza. Photo/Facebook

Sydney’s Southwest Metro project is set to bring a major new active transport connection to the city, with plans confirmed for a 13.8-kilometre walking, running and cycling path stretching from Bankstown through to Sydenham Metro Station.

Known during development as the MetroWay, the route will run alongside the converted metro line and is designed to link neighbourhoods across the Inner West and southwest Sydney. The pathway is expected to connect riders and walkers to local hubs, including Marrickville’s cafes and breweries, Campsie’s dining precincts, and the growing centre of Bankstown.

A key feature of the project is its connection at Dulwich Hill with the existing GreenWay. This intersection will provide a direct link to the six-kilometre corridor of parks and shared pathways running from the Cooks River to the Bay Run at Iron Cove, offering an extended network for commuters and recreational users.

The Dulwich Hill station precinct is also taking a step forward today with the opening of a new 1,200-square-metre station plaza. Delivered as part of the broader metro upgrade, the plaza is intended to strengthen connections between bus services in the village centre, the Dulwich Hill Light Rail stop and the future metro station. Planners say it will serve as a new community space as well as a transport interchange.

Sydney Metro has outlined that the MetroWay will include trees, lighting, clear wayfinding and links to more than 350 bicycle parking spaces across southwest stations. The design aims to suit people of different ages and riding abilities, encouraging more residents to consider walking or cycling for shorter trips.

Transport Minister John Graham said the project reflects the wider ambition of the Southwest Metro conversion, describing it as a way of building new community hubs and improving local connections alongside the rail upgrade.

He pointed to the combined impact of the MetroWay and GreenWay as opening up new options for runners, walkers and cyclists across the Inner West and southwest.

Local MPs have also highlighted the role of active transport in shaping how communities move around the city. Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen said the popularity of the GreenWay demonstrated the demand for safe, continuous pathways linked to public transport, while Bankstown MP Jihad Dib described the MetroWay as an added benefit that would help connect neighbourhoods, parks and local businesses.

The Southwest Metro conversion itself is now around 80 per cent complete, with construction and station works continuing across the corridor. Testing is also ramping up, with more than 500 kilometres of water-loaded testing already completed and additional trains expected to join the program in the coming months.

Once operational, the upgraded metro services are expected to reduce travel times across Sydney. Forecast journey improvements include a 12-minute trip from Dulwich Hill to Central, 27 minutes from Dulwich Hill to Chatswood, and 28 minutes from Bankstown to Central.

The MetroWay contract went out to tender this morning, with Sydney Metro set to work alongside local councils on the final design, delivery, naming and long-term management of the route.

With new stations, faster services and an expanded active transport spine running alongside the line, the Southwest Metro project is shaping up as one of the city’s largest transport upgrades, aimed at improving both mobility and everyday connections across Sydney’s Inner West and southwest.

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