Western Sydney is set to receive a boost to the local economy, with the NSW Government announcing a $1 billion investment from the WestInvest fund to upgrade critical roads across the region.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was backing the people of Western Sydney with this major investment in the road network.
“Western Sydney is booming and we are making sure that families who live across this fast growing region have the very best roads and infrastructure to keep them moving,” Perrottet said.
“This $1 billion investment in critical upgrades to major roads across the region is a game changer and will make sure that Western Sydney continues to grow and thrive.
“We are backing Western Sydney communities by making their roads safer, making sure they spend less time and getting tradies and other business to where they need to go quicker.”
The project opens up opportunity for the quarrying and aggregates industry, in the provision of supplies needed for the major road upgrades as Treasurer Matt Kean spoke on with how the project plans to deliver millions into the states economy.
“This investment will not only ensure people get to spend more time with family and friends instead of in traffic, but it will significantly improve the safety profile of these critical corridors,” Kean said.
“The increased productivity which results from these road improvements will inject millions of dollars into the state’s economy which benefits every single person across NSW.”
The improvements are also targeted to improve flood evacuation routes for families in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley and around Pitt Town, as Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said.
“We are working towards widening Garfield Road East to a four-lane divided road, providing a flood evacuation route with increased capacity as well as a better connection to the communities of Marsden Park, Box Hill, Richmond, Schofields and Rouse Hill.”
“The Pitt Town Bypass is also a project the community has been calling for so I’m incredibly pleased we can deliver it, significantly increasing the community’s resilience to flooding events.”
The funding is planned to support a range of significant road projects across 15 Local Government Areas, that include:
$200 million for safety improvements on Elizabeth Dr at critical sections between Devonshire Rd and Western Road, Kemps Creek;
$100 million to construct the Pitt Town bypass which has been identified as a crucial project following recent flooding events in the Hawkesbury-Nepean valley;
$100 million to enable the upgrade of a 3.4 kilometre section of Garfield Road East between Piccadilly Street, Riverstone and Windsor Road, Box Hill
The remaining $600 million for roads infrastructure upgrades, is set to be delivered within the 15 eligible WestInvest Local Government Areas, with the areas still to be determined.