Source : Perth Now news
Five major road projects worth a collective total of $3 billion have had their contracts locked in, with construction expected to begin later this year.
The massive upgrades, planned for Mamre Rd, Elizabeth Dr, Garfield Rd East, Henry Lawson Dr and Horsley Dr across Western Sydney, are set to transform the growing metropolitan region “for the future”.
The joint federal-state government projects will focus on the upgrading of intersections and widening of lanes.
Federal transport minister Catherine King said the huge joint investment would ensure Western Sydney is ready for the future by unlocking total capacity across the state’s road network.
“With contracts locked in for these five major road projects, the Australian Government is delivering on its promise to build a better traffic and transport future for Western Sydney, which will slash travel times, boost safety and keep this growing region moving forward,” she said.
NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car said the upgrades would allow families to “spend less time in traffic and more time together”.
She laid the blame for rampant development across Western Sydney – without the needed road and infrastructure to keep up – at the feet of the Liberal and National Parties.
The two largest projects, worth $1 billion each, are the Mamre Rd and Elizabeth Dr projects.
A stretch of single-lane road more than 6km long will be converted into two lanes between Erskine Park Rd and Kerrs Rd at Kemps Creek, including major upgrades at key intersections which are designed to support the area’s growing population.
Gamuda BMD JV, the same company tasked with expanding Erskine Park Rd, will also be working on widening Elizabeth Dr between Devonshire Rd and Badgerys Creek Rd.
The development is expected to increase traffic capacity and access to Western Sydney International Airport.
NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said construction was “on track to begin by the end of this year”.
“Western Sydney is finally getting the roads it was promised, and needed, for years,” she said.
“This is an incredibly exciting time.”
The Garfield Road East project, which has been entrusted to developers Fulton Hogan, will expand the road to two lanes in each direction between Piccadilly Street, Riverstone and Windsor Road, Box Hill.
The Henry Lawson Drive construction will provide 1.8km of dual carriageway between Auld Ave, Milperra, and the M5 Motorway.
The Horsley Drive will also be expanded to two lanes in each direction between the M7 Motorway and Wallgrove Road.
