Following the opening of the much-anticipated GreenWay, a six-kilometre shared bicycle and pedestrian path in Sydney’s Inner West last December, the NSW Government is planning a major new active transport corridor that will connect southwest Sydney communities to the expanding metro rail network through a continuous walking and cycling route stretching from Bankstown to Sydenham.

The South West Active Transport Link (SWATL), dubbed the ‘MetroWay’, will run alongside the Southwest Metro line, with the 13.8km path linking key destinations including Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Campsie and Bankstown.

The route is designed to provide a safe and accessible corridor for walkers, runners and cyclists, while strengthening connections between local venues, public transport and recreational spaces.

The MetroWay will intersect with the GreenWay at Dulwich Hill, providing direct access to parklands and pathways extending from the Cooks River to the Bay Run at Iron Cove.

One of the highlights of the upcoming path is the newly opened Dulwich Hill station plaza, a 1,200sqm public space delivered as part of the Southwest Metro upgrade. The plaza improves connections between bus services, the Dulwich Hill Light Rail and the metro station. The 90-metre long plaza at Bankstown, an important transport interchange in southwestern Sydney, which also opened recently, is expected to improve accessibility for commuters while increasing public space for the community.

“When we say the metro will be city-shaping, this is exactly what we mean. As we rebuild the stations along the way, we’re creating new community hubs like the Dulwich Hill Plaza and new connections like the MetroWay,” says Minister for Transport John Graham.

“Combining the MetroWay with the GreenWay will completely unlock the South West and the Inner West for runners, walkers and cyclists.”

The MetroWay will incorporate landscaping, lighting, signage and access to more than 350 bicycle parking spaces at Southwest Metro stations. The route is intended to cater to riders and pedestrians of all ages and abilities, while encouraging more people to leave the car at home.

Referring to the “absolute success” of the GreenWay project, Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen underlines the importance of building active transport links alongside new public transport.

“That’s why we are building the MetroWay, a safe continuous pathway from Bankstown right through to the Iron Cove, connecting to the GreenWay and the Bay Run. This is about giving locals real options to walk, ride, and stay active, making our neighbourhoods better connected and easier to get around.”

Bankstown MP Jihad Dib sees the MetroWay as a bonus outcome of the Southwest Metro project.

“MetroWay is a great use of public space that will help bring even more energy to this part of Sydney by better connecting neighbourhoods, parks and local shops.”

Meanwhile, construction on the Southwest Metro conversion and station upgrades is nearing completion, with high-speed testing of the new metro line currently underway. Once operational, the Southwest Metro is expected to deliver faster and more frequent services across Sydney’s rail network.

The tender for the MetroWay contract will be awarded later this year with Sydney Metro working with local Councils on the design, delivery, naming and management of the route.

Images courtesy NSW Government

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