Work has started to fix one of the most dangerous black spots in south west Sydney.
One person has died and numerous injured in the 45 crashes which have occurred in the past five years at the Hume Highway and Picton Road interchange at Wilton.
NSW Roads and Maritime Services will now install traffic lights as part of a $2.5 million safety upgrade to prevent crashes and save lives.
Work on this black spot follows the recent completion of a major safety upgrade of Picton Road.
Infrastructure and Regional Development minister Warren Truss said traffic lights will be installed at the eastern and western ramps connecting Picton Road with the Hume Highway.
“The Australian and NSW governments are jointly funding this major safety upgrade,” Mr Truss said.
“Traffic lights will give motorists clear direction about who has right of way to help reduce the crash risk.”
NSW Minister for Roads Duncan Gay said measures will be in place during the works to limit disruption to motorists and ensure safety around the intersection.
“Works will involve the installation of queue detection technology at the Hume Highway off ramps to allow extra vehicles to pass through the traffic lights, which will limit the amount of traffic queuing back onto the highway,” Mr Gay said.
“An underboring machine has also been on site which drilled holes below the road surface, eliminating the need to excavate the road.
“This has minimised disruption to motorists and has allowed work to be carried out more quickly and safely.”
Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said Picton Road has long been notorious as one of the state’s most dangerous routes.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“There were 45 crashes at this intersection in the five years to December 2015, including one fatality and 18 crashes involving injuries,” Mr Taylor said.[/social_quote]
“I am pleased to see another black spot fixed thanks to the Australian and NSW governments’ ongoing investment in safety improvements.”
Member for Wollondilly Jai Rowell said major work, which started on Monday, will occur on weekdays between 7am and 5pm, weather permitting.
“While work is being carried out a speed zone of 40 kilometres an hour will apply, increasing to 60 kilometres an hour outside of work hours,” Mr Rowell said.
“I would like to thank motorists for their patience as this important safety upgrade is carried out.”
The upgrade is expected to be completed by April 2016.
The Picton Road improvements were designed to reduce the number and severity of the most common types of crashes on the road and make it a safer and more reliable transport link for the 15,000 motorists who use it every day. Many of them are from the Macarthur region, especially Camden, Campbelltown and Picton.
The overall program of safety improvements was jointly funded by the NSW and Australian Governments, with $4.8 million provided by the Australian Government blackspot funding program.
Further details about the concept design for the Picton Road-Hume Highway intersection are available at the Roads and Maritime website.
