On a light rail gravy train An artist's impressions of the options for how the proposed Light Rail will pass through Moore Park / Picture: Gladys Berejiklian's office Source: Supplied THE expansion of Sydney's light rail network could create at least 10,000 jobs and deliver billions to the local economy. Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said about $4 billion would flow from the project, linking Circular Quay to Central and the Sydney Cricket Ground, Randwick racecourse, Prince of Wales Hospital and the University of NSW in the city's east. Latest figures, part of the first economic appraisal of the controversial project, were revealed yesterday by the state government on the eve of its release of a detailed draft environmental impact statement. Ms Berejiklian said for every $1 invested in the project, the state would receive a benefit of $2.50. She said the economic appraisal, by PricewaterhouseCoopers, found the 12km rail system would deliver more than $2 billion in benefits for public transport users and $264 million for road users, while environmental and social benefits would total $308 million. An artist's impression of the options for how the proposed Light Rail will pass through Moore Park / Picture: Gladys Berejiklian's office Source: Supplied "The majority of benefit will be to public transport customers - light rail will play a crucial role in addressing the significant congestion challenges we face in Sydney," Ms Berejiklian said. The project will deliver 10,000 jobs during construction and operation, and will be implemented with a redesigned bus network which will reduce the number of buses clogging CBD streets by up to 220 buses an hour - that will also help customers coming into the city on buses from the west and north. Light rail and the redesigned bus network will improve the average travel speeds of motorists in and around the CBD. The project has angered residents in Surry Hills, who are concerned the route will cause traffic obstruction on Elizabeth St, Crown St, South Dowling St, Devonshire St and Bourke St as well as Anzac Pde. Community group People Unite Surry Hills (PUSH) spokeswoman Venietta Slama-Powell said as part of current plans, a number of homes would have to be demolished to make way for the track and surrounding infrastructure. "Light rail will have right of way from 5am to 1am on these busy traffic routes," Ms Slama-Powell said. I don't see any benefit in that. PUSH has put an alternative plan to the state government, asking that the section of the line through Surry Hills be put underground. Other critics have said businesses in the central business district will be drastically affected by construction of the line along George St. An artist's impression of the proposed light rail without wires on George St. Source: Supplied