Contract awarded to progress design of $1bn Fifteenth Avenue Upgrade

The now funded $1 billion Fifteenth Avenue Upgrade in Sydney’s growing south-west has reached a significant milestone as it progresses towards construction. 

The contract to develop the concept design for the upgrade has now been awarded to WSP, which is a major step forward in the precinct-shaping project. 

The Fifteenth Avenue upgrade will be an essential link to the up-and-coming Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. 

“This is welcome news for our community. 

“Fifteenth Avenue is a vital corridor for South West Sydney – especially with the new airport and Bradfield City Centre on the way. This announcement gives locals much-needed certainty about what’s next. 

“Once complete, the upgrade will ease congestion, imprive travel times and reliability for cars, trucks and buses, and make it safer for people walking or using public transport. 

“Once complete, the upgrade will reduce congestion for cars, trucks and buses, improve journey times and journey time reliability, as well as improving safety for people walking, catching public transport and riding bikes,” State Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said. 

In addition, the New South Wales Government has shared for the first time the proposed scope of the upgrade. Key features of the project include: 

• A four-lane carriageway, with two traffic lanes in each direction 

• New active transport connections and pedestrian paths 

• New signalised intersections, including one at Second Avenue, with dedicated turning lanes making it safer for locals 

• A land reservation for future expansion, including for a dedicated bus transitway to support future rapid bus services from Liverpool to the Bradfield City Centre and new airport 

Land reservation and future rezoning ensures that new buildings can no longer be built in the future corridor of this arterial route. 

Transport for NSW will engage with property owners about land needed for the upgrade and future expansion. Commencing these discussions early will help provide a level of certainty for affected property owners and ensure the project can be delivered as quickly as possible. 

“This is an important announcement that indicated the path forward for this essential project. 

“We know the local community is experiencing congestion and delays along Fifteenth Avenue and the surrounding roads, with typical average speeds in the peak times around 30 kilometres per hour. This is why we are starting works early and phasing our delivery to focus on the worst pinch points first. 

“Traffic counts in 2023 show around 22,000 vehicles use this section of road every day. That number is projected to almost double to 42,000 vehicles by 2036 especially as Bradfield and Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport develop. 

“I am pleased that a land reservation included for public transport so that as our area grows, the transport facilities are planned for within the corridor. This is good planning unlike the previous government that failed to protect the corridor to enable road widening,” Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said. 

The Fifteenth Avenue upgrade will be delivered in stages to allow construction to begin immediately. 

Stage 1 works will be completed in three sections. The road is going to be duplicated between Second Avenue and Cowpasture Road for the first section and the second section will be between Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue. Meanwhile, the third section will duplicate the road between Fourth Avenue and Devonshire Road. 

Future stages of the upgrade will include the full connection through to the Bradfield City Centre and Aerotropolis precinct, and the delivery of the dedicated bus transitway. 

This staged approach will help ensure the project is delivered faster and more cost effective. 

Earlier this year, the Australian and New South Wales Governments announced a $1 billion funding injection to expedite the delivery of this long overdue upgrade. The State Government has also fast-tracked the design and planning processes so the construction tender can be released to market in 2026 and commence construction activities in 2027. 

“The Albanese Government recognises the importance of investing in South West Sydney. Projects like Fifteenth Avenue, Westlink M7, and the Western Sydney International Airport, will support growth and jobs in Western Sydney. 

“These early works mark the beginning of the upgrade. We expect to see major construction work begin in 2027. 

“Over the coming months, consultation with the community will inform planning and design before exhibition in 2026,” Federal Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley said. 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW (1, 2); Roads & Infrastructure Australia