Third lane opened: M5 travel times reduced

South west region motorists can expect further improvements on the M5 South West Motorway with the opening of the third lane westbound from the old toll plaza at Hammondville to the Hume Highway overpass in Liverpool.

This new 3.4km section joins the third lane which is already open westbound between the Hume Highway overpass, Liverpool to Camden Valley Way, Prestons, providing motorists with 7.3km  of third lane westbound along the 22km M5 South West Motorway.

The speed limit in the section between Hammondville and Liverpool will also be re-instated to 100km/h, improving traffic flow from Hammondville through to Prestons.

Member for Menai Melanie Gibbons (pictured) said this additional lane from Hammondville would further improve motorists’ journeys travelling westbound along the motorway.

“The opening of the third lane in both directions of the western section between Camden Valley Way and the Hume Highway overpass is already providing better flowing traffic and time savings for motorists,” Ms Gibbons said.

“”By extending the third lane from Hammondville through to Prestons and reinstating the speed limit to 100km/h for westbound motorists in this area, traffic will be able to flow even more freely.

“We aim to get motorists to where they need to be sooner,” Ms Gibbons said.

Weather permitting, the next section of westbound third lane is expected to be opened between Queen Street, Revesby and Hammondville, with the entire westbound carriageway of the M5 South West Motorway opened in mid-November.

“We are pleased to be able to provide these benefits to motorists as the M5 West widening project nears completion, and look forward to providing motorists with a motorway with an increased capacity of 50 per cent upon final completion of the project, which is expected in December this year, weather permitting. This increased capacity means congestion and travel times will be reduced, particularly during peak periods, and motorists will experience more reliable and efficient journeys along the motorway,” Ms Gibbons said.

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.