One of Sydney's busiest stations, Redfern, will finally be upgraded to ensure it meets accessibility standards, with lifts to all of its platforms, new stairs and a long footbridge.

After years of refusals by successive governments to upgrade the heritage-listed station, six lifts and six sets of stairs will be installed as part of a $100 million project, ensuring better access for commuters to platforms one to 10.

The lifts will link to a footbridge to be built at the southern end of the station. It will improve access to the Australian Technology Park, Carriageworks and the University of Sydney. The footbridge will connect Gibbons Street, on the eastern side of the rail tracks, with Little Eveleigh and Wilson streets to the west.

Parents forced to carry prams down the stairs at Redfern station. Credit:Dean Sewell

While preliminary surveys and geotechnical work are under way, major construction at Redfern is not expected to begin until late this year and will take about a year to complete.