The Australian and New South Wales Governments are progressing three major road projects – about $1.1 billion worth – to the next stage as part of an initiative to bust congestion, reduce travel times and boost safety for road users in Sydney’s growing North West.
The population in the surrounding suburbs of Blacktown, Hawkesbury and The Hills Shire districts are anticipated to increase by about 300,000 people in the next few years – from approximately 800,000 to 1.1 million people by 2036.
Funding committed by the two levels of government will ensure these communities have the roads they need to support stronger, well-connected communities.
On a 50:50 basis, the joint investment from the Federal and State Governments include:
- $150 million for the Bandon Road upgrade
- $440 million for the Garfield Road East corridor
- $520 million for the Richmond Road project
“These are important upgrades that are delivering safer and more efficient road connections for residents in North West Sydney.
“The north west of Sydney is growing quickly, and the Australian Government is supporting that growth with our $555 million contribution to these projects,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.
“For decades, North West Sydney has borne the brunt of the State’s housing growth, without the adequate infrastructure needed to keep up with a growing population.
“We are committed to ensuring these communities have the roads they need to support them now and into the future,” Premier Chris Minns said.
Bandon Road Upgrade and Extension
This long-awaited project has reached a new milestone with Arup Australia awarded the contract to carry out critical concept design work.
This milestone also coincides with the release of new artist impressions that show the first stage of the upgrade, which includes features such as:
- A commuter car park with more than 70 parking spaces for motorists using train services at Vineyard Station
- Accessible parking and improved bus stop facilities for northbound and southbound services
- Intersection improvements for motorist safety and a pedestrian refuge for safe crossing of Riverstone Parade
- Upgraded road kerbs and around 150 metres of new pedestrian footpaths
- Landscaping with garden beds and low growth vegetation
Once completed, the new Bandon Road will provide a 6.5-kilometre, four-lane corridor with a central median to allow for future widening works, a shared pedestrian and cyclist path, a new road underpass of the Richmond railway line at Vineyard, and an improved flood evacuation route on Wallace and Bandon roads.
Community consultation on the proposed design is now underway until 6 April. More information on how to provide feedback can be found here.
“Key elements of the Bandon Road upgrade include the road underpass of Richmond Railway line north of Vineyard Train Station and removal of the existing rail level crossing, improving traffic flow and safety.
“The project will also provide an upgrade and realignment of the existing flood evacuation route along Wallace Road and Bandon Road and deliver an off-road shared path for walking and cycling.
“The upgrade and extension aim to improve access to Riverstone Industrial Area, Marsden Park, Riverstone and Vineyard precincts,” State Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said.
Richmond Road Upgrade
The Richmond Road upgrade between the M7 Motorway and Townson Road at Marsden Park is also moving to the next stage with a request for design and construction tenders released to market.
This project will upgrade a 2.2-kilometre section of Richmond Road from four lanes to six lanes. Early works are anticipated to commence in the first half of next year.
The proposed upgrade will include:
- Building a new flyover bridge from the M7 Motorway Rooty Hill Road North off-ramp to Richmond Road northbound to allow road users to bypass two sets of traffic lights, reducing congestion and queuing onto the motorway allowing uninterrupted flow of traffic
- Moving the pedestrian and bike path on the western side of Richmond Road
- Replacing the existing boardwalk with a new concrete bridge that will include a pedestrian and bike path and travel lanes over Bells Creek
- Continuing to improve public transport by maintaining the dedicated bus lanes at the intersections
- Intersection upgrades:
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- Richmond Road, Hollinsworth Road and Townson Road
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- Additional through lane along Richmond Road heading northbound (towards Richmond)
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- Additional dedicated right turn lane from Richmond Road into Hollinsworth Road
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- New left turn slip lane from Hollinsworth Road onto Richmond Road
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- Staged pedestrian crossings
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- Richmond Road, Langford Drive and Alderton Drive
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- Additional through lane along both sides of Richmond Road
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- Staged pedestrian crossings
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- Richmond Road, Rooty Hill Road North and M7 ramps
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- Additional dedicated right turn lane from Richmond Road onto Rooty Hill Road North
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- Two dedicated lanes on Richmond Road heading onto the M7 Motorway
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- Two dedicated through lanes on Richmond Road heading southbound (towards Blacktown)
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- Relocating the existing pedestrian crossing on Richmond Road approximately 160 metres south
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“Upgrading these roads is vital to keeping our community in North West Sydney moving.
“Far too long local residents have endured traffic congestion because of the former Liberal National Government’s poor planning and inaction.
“Our Labor Governments are now getting on with the job, building the infrastructure our community deserves,” Deputy Premier Prue Car said.
“It’s great to see these long talked about projects being delivered by the Minns Labor Government.
“We know communities have been waiting for years for governments to deliver better roads and infrastructure in Sydney’s North West and the Minns Labor Government has listened and is delivering on our election commitments to improve the daily lives of people in Western Sydney,” NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said.
Garfield Road East Project
In the coming weeks, a contract for vital design work will be awarded and a new artist impression will be released to show what upgrades to the Piccadilly Street intersection will look like.
The Garfield Road East project will include:
- Widening the road to four lanes (two lanes in each direction) between Piccadilly Street in Riverstone and Windsor Road in Graham Farm, with an allowance for an additional one lane in either direction
- A median strip between opposite lanes of traffic to separate road traffic and improve traffic flow
- New and upgraded signalised intersections
- A footpath (eastbound) and a shared path (westbound) for people walking and riding bicycles
- A space next to a traffic lane so buses can pick up and drop off passengers without stopping the flow of traffic
- Bus priority at signals and bus lanes to improve bus services
“These milestones are evidence of State and Federal Labor governments working together to build a better future for North-West Sydney.
“This momentum is all part of our plan for residents of North-West Sydney to spend less time in their cars, and more time with family.
“These upgrades will turbocharge development in the region and clear evidence of the Minns and Albanese Governments’ plans to improve road safety and traffic flow,” Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland said.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW (1, 2, 3)