Motorists travelling westbound along the M5 South West Motorway will benefit from improved traffic flow as a result of the opening of the third westbound lane now between Beverly Hills and Prestons this week.
This is a significant milestone in the $400 million M5 West widening project as it nears final completion in December.
Rex Wright, general manager of Interlink Roads said that the third lane would help reduce congestion for westbound motorists and allow traffic to flow more freely along the M5 South West Motorway.
“We have been progressively opening the third lane along the M5 South West Motorway as work is completed, and we are pleased to now be able to provide westbound motorists with 22km of third lane and an increased capacity of 50 per cent between King Georges Road and Camden Valley Way,” Mr Wright said.
“Instead of waiting for the whole project to be completed, we are opening the sections as we can so motorists are already benefiting from improved journeys from the opening of the third lane in both directions of the western section between Camden Valley Way and the Hume Highway.”
The State Member for Menai, Melanie Gibbons, gave the opening of the third lane the thumbs up: “By opening the third westbound lane in full along the entire motorway, westbound motorists will be able to more efficiently get to their destination.
“This gets people back to their homes much sooner,” Ms Gibbons said.
“I am so pleased that we were able to achieve our promise to have people benefiting from these lanes as soon as possible. It is so important to everyone who is dependent on this motorway.”
The 100km/h speed limit will be restored along the entire westbound length of the M5 South West Motorway in the coming weeks once final line marking is complete. Motorists can also expect better flowing traffic eastbound between Camden Valley Way to the Hume Highway when the 100km/h speed limit is restored in this area next week.
Motorists are advised that the speed limit will remain at 80km/h along the rest of the M5 South West Motorway for the safety of motorists and workers as construction is still continuing along the corridor. Widening work will continue throughout November and December, with final completion of the M5 West widening project expected in December, weather permitting.
Mr Wright said: “Upon final completion of the M5 West widening project, congestion and travel times will be reduced, particularly during peak periods, and motorists will experience more reliable and efficient journeys along the motorway. We thank motorists for their patience and understanding while this important work takes place.”
The $400 million M5 West widening project is primarily funded by Interlink Roads, with the NSW Government contributing $50 million towards the cost of new and improved noise walls and noise mitigation measures for nearby residents.
