The Australian and New South Wales Governments are committed to supporting the future growth in the Greater Macarthur Growth Area with a new east-west transport link identified for the region.
After considering land use, environmental, traffic efficiency and safety factors, the preferred route option for the Link Road corridor has been announced.
The new transport link will connect Appin Road in Gilead with Menangle Road at Menangle Park. This route option was chosen from four shortlisted options following an extensive consultation with key stakeholders, and it is expected to provide an efficient connection across the Greater Macarthur region.
The preferred option will also enable active and public transport options as well as support protected koala corridors along the project route.
The Link Road corridor will join the first stage of the Spring Farm Parkway project at Menangle Park to provide a vital connection between Appin Road and the Hume Motorway. Meanwhile, a future Stage 2 of the Spring Farm Parkway will complete the link from Appin Road to Camden Bypass.
The Link Road corridor is proposed to feature a 3.8-kilometre two-lane dual carriageway with intersections at Appin Road and Menangle Road. Plans include a wide central median that will allow for additional lanes in the future if needed.
The new transport link will also feature retaining walls and a bridge over Glendower Street. This feature has been chosen to help minimise impacts on native vegetation.
Transport for NSW said in a statement: “The Greater Macarthur area is growing rapidly as more families choose to raise their families in this great part of Sydney, so we’re putting the infrastructure in place so these communities are supported well into the future.”
Transport for NSW will now work with the Department of Planning and Environment to investigate options to preserve the Link Road corridor – which is included in the updated structure plan in the final Greater Macarthur 2040 Plan expected to be released later in 2022.
A construction timeline as well as project costs are yet to be determined.
Source: Transport for NSW (1, 2); Infrastructure Magazine