Two of South West Sydney’s notoriously busy roads will receive funding under the Baird Government’s $300 million plan to tackle Sydney’s road congestion.
The 32 road corridors to be targeted include:
· Hoxton Park Road (West Hoxton to Liverpool) – $18m
· Hume Highway (The Cross Roads to Warwick Farm) – $4m
· Heathcote Road (Lucas Heights to Moorebank) – $2m
This work will also seek to address pinch points at Moorebank.
Local Member, Melanie Gibbons joined Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Roads Ray Williams and Liberal candidate for Liverpool Councillor Mazhar Hadid to announce details.
NSW goes to the polls on Saturday, March 28 and a re-elected Baird Government would make relieving traffic congestion in South West Sydney a priority, they said.
“We want people to spend more time with their families and friends – not stuck in traffic,” Ms Gibbons said.
“The funding will allow key pinch point projects to be undertaken along these roads to reduce congestion, improve traffic flows and cut travel times.
“I am pleased to see that South West Sydney has not been forgotten in this latest funding announcement,” Ms Gibbons said.
“Traffic congestion is one of the top issues raised by local residents and I know this funding will go a long way to targeting two of our most notorious problem areas,” Clr Hadid said.
“The Baird Government’s Rebuilding NSW plan is a once in a generation opportunity to tackle congestion in Sydney through investment in public transport, major road projects and upgrades to the existing road network.”
Mr Williams said, “On current analysis, congestion is costing the State’s economy $5.1 billion a year or $1,100 per person. By 2020, it will cost NSW $8.8 billion a year, unless we address the matter now.
“That cost is calculated on higher travel times and higher vehicle operating costs associated with fuel,” Mr Williams said.
Ms Gibbons said, “Motorists in the Holsworthy electorate will also benefit from targeted road corridors which are part of this commitment including:
· Cumberland Highway (Warwick Farm – Northmead) – $18m
· Newbridge Road, Milperra Road, Canterbury Road, New Canterbury Road, Stanmore Road, Enmore Road (Liverpool to Newtown) – $7m
· Henry Lawson Drive/ Woodville Road (Picnic Point to Parramatta) – $10m.
A re-elected Baird Government will allocate $300 million from Rebuilding NSW to tackle pinch points on 32 road corridors over the next ten years, beginning in 2015-16.
These corridors have been identified by Infrastructure NSW and Transport for NSW as being among the worst corridors in Sydney and strategic priorities for tackling congestion.
Mr Baird says the plans were part of a broader strategy to deal with congestion in Sydney, including:
· The 33km Westconnex, the largest road project in Australia;
· The 9km Northconnex, with construction underway;
· Widening the M5 West and M2, both of which are now open;
· Providing 10,500 additional public transport services per week; and
· NSW’s largest ever investment in public transport infrastructure, with the South West Rail Link complete, the North West rail link under construction, and planning for a 60 percent increase in rail capacity as a result of the Sydney Rapid Transit project.
By undertaking works such as improving intersections, road widening and lengthening or widening turn bays, it is estimated the program will deliver:
· Up to 15km/h increases in average travel speeds on links approaching upgraded intersections.
· Up to 50% travel time savings on the approach to intersections during peak periods.
· Flow on improvements to adjacent intersections.
