Major works underway on $720m Richmond Road Upgrade

A new milestone has been reached on the $720 million Richmond Road Upgrade in New South Wales, with the first sod turned to signal the beginning of major works on the project.

Not only will this project help ease congestion and improve safety, but it will also support future housing, development and connectivity across the growing western Sydney region.

About 89,000 vehicles us this road each day, and traffic volumes are forecasted to significantly increase in coming years as the region continues to grow.

Traffic modelling shows the upgrades to Richmond Road will help cut average travel times by around 21 per cent during the morning peak and 34 per cent in the afternoon peak once works are completed.

“This is exactly the kind of practical infrastructure we’re focused on delivering to support growing communities in Western Sydney.

“Richmond Road is a critical corridor, with around 89,000 vehicles using it every day.

“These upgrades will cut travel times, reduce pressure on local roads and make daily trips safer and more reliable. They will mean less time stuck in traffic and more time spent with families,” Premier Chris Minns said.

“State and federal Labor governments are working to deliver much needed relief on one of the most congested roads in Sydney.

“We’re widening chokepoints on Richmond Road to ensure residents in our community can spend less time on the road and more time with their families.

“For far too long rapidly growing areas in north west Sydney were neglected by the Liberals and endured years of traffic congestion because of their poor planning.

“After years of broken promises, we’re getting on with the job of delivering the vital road upgrades our community deserves,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said.

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering the road infrastructure western Sydney needs to keep pace with rapid growth and rising traffic volumes.

“Growing communities, including those in north west Sydney and the lower Blue Mountains who rely on Richmond Road every day, will benefit from safer journeys, reduced congestion and more reliable travel times,” NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said.

The Richmond Road Upgrade is made up of three major projects – the M7 Motorway to Townson Road upgrade, the Elara Boulevard to Heritage Road upgrade, and the Richmond Road Corridor Planning.

The $520 million M7 Motorway to Townson Road upgrade will include:

• Widening Richmond Road between Colebee and Marsden Park to reduce congestion, improve safety and support housing and development across Sydney’s north west
• Approximately 2.2 kilometres of Richmond Road expanded from four lanes to six lanes, including a new concrete bridge over Bells Creek with travel lanes and a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists
• A new flyover bridge built from the M7 Motorway Rooty Hill Road North off-ramp to Richmond Road northbound, bypassing two sets of traffic lights and reducing congestion and queuing on the motorway

The $150 million Elara Boulevard to Heritage Road upgrade will include:

• Upgrading a 1.6-kilometre section of Richmond Road between Elara Boulevard and Heritage Road to improve access for the growing Marsden Park community and nearby suburbs, strengthening connections to Blacktown
• Widening Richmond Road from two lanes to a four-lane divided carriageway and delivering a wider central median to allow for future expansion to six lanes if required

Lastly, the $50 million Richmond Road Corridor planning project will investigate further investment opportunities along the corridor from the M7 Motorway to The Driftway, securing the future of one of the busiest and most congested arterial roadways in the region.

The upgrades to Richmond Road will also include delivering a new bus priority signalised intersection, an extended shared path connecting into Marsden Park, and improved flood resilience along the busy corridor.

The construction contracts awarded last year cover the M7 Motorway to Townson Road upgrade and Elara Boulevard to Heritage Road upgrade.

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering for local families who rely on Richmond Road every single day.

“This upgrade will make journeys safer and smoother, while ensuring the corridor can support future growth in our community,” State Member for Mount Druitt Edmond Atalla said.

“Our community has been calling for improvements to Richmond Road for years, and the Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job.

“These upgrades will improve access between Marsden Park and Blacktown and support the continued growth of western Sydney,” State Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali said.

“Richmond Road is a lifeline for the rapidly growing suburbs of Riverstone and Marsden Park.

“The Minns Labor Government is investing in practical improvements that will reduce congestion, improve safety and deliver better connections for our local community,” State Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said.

These projects are jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments.

The Richmond Road Upgrade is part of the North West Growth Centre Area Road Network Strategy, which will support development in this fast-growing precinct.

These projects are also part of the Australian Government’s $18 billion infrastructure pipeline for western Sydney, and it builds on the $7.4 billion the New South Wales Government has invested in western Sydney roads since March 2023.

“The Albanese Government is investing in the roads, rail and infrastructure western Sydney needs to set it up for success.

“Our $18 billion pipeline of western Sydney Infrastructure projects includes Sydney’s new airport, and key road infrastructure like the Richmond Road upgrade.

“By partnering with the NSW Government on upgrades like this, we are reducing congestion, improving safety and supporting the delivery of new homes and economic growth across the region,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

“The Albanese Government is delivering the vital infrastructure our growing community in north west Sydney needs.

“These Richmond Road upgrades will provide real, everyday relief, ensuring local residents can spend less time on the road, and more time with their families,” Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland said.

“The wait is over, the work has started, the relief is real – people out here will be stoked to see that the upgrade to Richmond Road is finally happening.

“And the fact is it was the Albanese and Minns governments that actually stepped up to fund work that had been neglected for years in one of western Sydney’s fastest growing areas. It’s great to see this upgrade finally happen,” Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic said.

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Transport for NSW (1, 2, 3)