Sydneysiders will still have to wait several months until the barricades surrounding the CBD light rail are removed, with fencing likely to remain in front of some retailers along Sydney's George Street over the Christmas period.
The light rail has been plagued by problems, with construction running months behind schedule and two contractors suing the State Government over the $1.2 billion project.
Last month a teenager suffered an electric shock while walking near the construction site at Haymarket.
Under pressure from the Government, the consortium charged with building the CBD and South East Light Rail, ALTRAC, confirmed the first barriers would be removed or reduced from zones in the north of the CBD, Surry Hills and Moore Park by November, while zones in CBD South would be removed or reduced by January.
Randwick, Kingsford and Kensington zones would be clear of barriers by February.
ALTRAC chief executive Glenn Bentley said the construction team had four kilometres of track left to lay across the route and track installation would be complete in September.
"We will have civil construction substantially completed by the end of 2018," he said.
The prolonged light rail construction has forced some businesses along the route to close, with some business owners calling for compensation.
Mr Bentley said the community and businesses in each of the zones would notice significant changes in their areas as civil construction neared completion, between November and February.
"Where possible, zones may be opened sooner than these dates," he said.
"There will still be localised barriers around stops and while paving and cabling work is undertaken."
Mr Bentley said systems, signalling, cable and stop fit-out would be localised and involve smaller zones, meaning "less noise and reduced barrier zones for shorter periods of time".
Sydney Business Chamber executive director Patricia Forsythe said businesses, particularly along George Street, would be pleased to finally have some clarity about the project.
"I am very confident that everybody at transport, everybody involved with the project are working very hard to make sure Sydney doesn't suffer another year of disruption," she said.
"As it starts to open, people are going to hopefully put behind them, what has been a much delayed project and see the upside which is a much improved urban amenity."
