NSW Roads and Ports Minister Duncan Gay has announced a $50 million package of WestConnex “supporting works” to improve access for M4 motorists into and out of Parramatta and the Sydney Olympic Park precinct.
Minister Gay said three projects will target key areas to give motorists more choice and easier access to the M4 corridor and include new eastbound access to Westmead and Parramatta at Bridge Road from the M4 (near Coleman Street), new westbound access from Parramatta at Church Street to the M4 and of particular benefit to trucks a new eastbound access at Hill Road from Sydney Olympic Park to the M4.
“Motorists will have new access from Parramatta to the west at Church Street, avoiding five sets of traffic lights and a new exit ramp from the west at Bridge Road, avoiding four sets of traffic lights,” said Gay. “These are important elements that also provide the beginning of the Western Sydney Ring Road project which was identified in the State Infrastructure Strategy and is supported by local communities.
“Separate to the 10,000 jobs to be created during the construction of the WestConnex motorway, these road improvements will provide a great boost for jobs in Western Sydney.”
The State Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said almost 300,000 jobs are located along this corridor with a further 93,000 jobs expected to be added over the next 20 years.
“Companies now will have real options about where to locate their businesses because Sydney’s second CBD at Parramatta will be easier to access for employees,” said Lee . “Parramatta is in the heart of Sydney and these improvements will make access to the region easier for workers, job seekers and businesses, ensuring Western Sydney becomes a more attractive place to work and invest.
“We have separately announced a $200 million urban revitalisation package to transform Parramatta Road into a more attractive place to live and work, as part of WestConnex.”
Almost 600,000 people live in the corridor between Penrith and Sydney’s CBD and another 130,000 are likely to join them over the next 20 years. Stage 1 of WestConnex extends over 13.5 km and involves the creation of four lanes each way on the M4 east of Parramatta to Homebush Bay Drive, and an extension of the M4 via twin three lane tunnels to Parramatta Road and City West Link at Haberfield. Stage 1 will begin in 2015 and be completed by 2019 at a cost of about $3.5 billion.
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