The Commonwealth and NSW Governments have joined forces to pay for the upgrade of the much maligned Narellan Road to six lanes from Camden Valley Way at Narellan to Blaxland Road at Campbelltown.
Last week the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, treasurer Joe Hockey and NSW Premier, Mike Baird, joined four local Liberal members, state and federal, to turn the first sod for work on stage one of the project.
In a joint statement, they said said the 6.8 kilometre upgrade was a much-needed investment to improve infrastructure in the Macarthur area and throughout the south west Sydney growth corridor.
”When complete, motorists will spend less time in traffic jams and more time with their families, businesses will get their goods and services to market faster and everyone will benefit from safer roads,” the statement said.
”During construction this project is expected to generate 250 jobs and benefit local businesses. The upgrade is part of both governments’ plan to build a stronger and more prosperous Western Sydney by investing in major infrastructure that will transform the region’s economy.
”Western Sydney is already Australia’s third-largest economy with the region expected to grow from two to three million people in the next 20 years.”
Stage One of the upgrade begins with 1.6 kilometres of Narellan Road between the Hume Motorway and the access road to the Western Sydney Institute and University of Western Sydney and includes:
- upgrading to a six lane divided road, generally three lanes in each direction, with a central median and a three metre wide off-road shared pedestrian and cyclist path;
- widening the southbound off ramps from the Hume Motorway to Narellan Road to three lanes at the intersection with Narellan Road;
- upgrading the TAFE/University of Western Sydney roundabout to dual lanes;
- providing an additional right turn lane into the TAFE/University for eastbound traffic and extending the right turn bay about 180 metres;
- providing dedicated dual left turn lanes and an additional right turn lane onto Narellan Road from the TAFE/University; and
- constructing an Incident Response Facility at the south east corner of the M31 Hume Motorway interchange.
The Commonwealth Government has provided $53 million towards the upgrade in addition to the NSW Government $61 million commitment.
The local members at the turning of the sod ceremony were the member for Macarthur, Russell Matheson, and Jai Rowell, state member for Wollondilly, Chris Patterson, state member for Camden, and Bryan Doyle, the state member for Campbelltown.
“I was pleased to join the Prime Minister, Federal Treasurer, Premier Baird and my parliamentary colleagues Jai Rowell and Chris Patterson as the first sod of this project was turned,” Mr Doyle said.
“The 1.6 kilometre upgrade first stage is a much-needed investment and will improve transport infrastructure in the Macarthur and will provide additional jobs to benefit local businesses and families.
“I am proud to be part of a Government that’s delivering on its election commitments.”
