12 November 2015

The Australian and New South Wales governments today announced the preferred route for stage four of The Northern Road upgrade.

Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher said the preferred option travels around the western Sydney airport site and to the east of Luddenham Town Centre.

“The selection of the preferred route is a major planning milestone for The Northern Road upgrade,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The Northern Road is a key project in the Australian and NSW government’s $3.6 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan - providing essential road improvements for one of Australia’s fastest growing regions before the new western Sydney airport opens in the mid-20s.

“The stage four upgrade will widen 11 kilometres of road to four lanes between Mersey Road at Bringelly and Littlefields Road at Luddenham and will be critical in the network of roads being built to service the western Sydney airport.

“The project forms part of the 35 kilometre upgrade of The Northern Road between Narellan and Penrith to increase road capacity, reduce future congestion and improve safety on a major western Sydney corridor.”

New South Wales Minister for Roads Duncan Gay said the preferred route, known locally as the ‘eastern option’ provides the best access to western Sydney employment and local businesses.

“We’ve consulted extensively with the community and businesses and we think we’ve got the balance right,” Mr Gay said.

“The eastern option provides a free flowing arterial road connection from the south to the north linking directly to Elizabeth Drive – the main road through the Western Sydney Priority Growth Area (western Sydney employment hub).

“It also includes direct access to the Luddenham Town Centre via a direct connection from The Northern Road to ensure local businesses, residents and visitors are well serviced.

“Another important benefit of the eastern option is the preservation of the Luddenham heritage buildings and homes along the existing The Northern Road corridor, which is critical to the town’s historical character.”

Mr Fletcher said the extensive upgrades would ensure the region can support continued population growth, with western Sydney set to grow from two million to three million people in the next 20 years.

“With more than 57,000 new jobs being created over the next thirty years on land near the western Sydney airport, The Northern Road Upgrade will provide significant benefits now and into the future,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The upgrade will include new traffic lights and turning lanes at some intersections, street lighting, and an off road shared path to increase pedestrian and cyclist safety.

“Public transport users will also benefit with new kerb side bus lanes on some sections, bus priority lanes at traffic lights and bus bays all helping to reduce travel times.”

Further work on the preliminary design and access strategy will now be carried out with community feedback on the proposal to be invited in early 2016.

For further information on the project visit: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/sydney-west/bringelly-the-northern-road-upgrade/stage-4.html

Media Contacts

• For Mr Fletcher: Catherine McDonald 0447 066 213
• For Mr Gay: Emma Higginson 0467 743 192

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