Search for contractors begin for $2.24bn worth of Western Sydney road upgrades

The Australian and New South Wales Governments are calling on industry to deliver $2.24 billion worth of critical road upgrades in Western Sydney. 

Transport for NSW is now inviting experienced contractors to register their interest in designing and building three major arterial roads in Western Sydney, which will transform connectivity in the region as it prepares for a boom once the new airport is up and running. 

The joint investment will deliver safer, faster journeys for Western Sydney communities as new employment zones drive unprecedented growth and while the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) nears completion. 

The Federal and State Governments are each providing half of the committed $2.24 billion investment for the Elizabeth Drive, Mamre Road Stage 2 and Garfield Road East projects. 

“This major investment is a strong example of the Minns Labor Government working with the Albanese Labor Government to deliver the infrastructure Western Sydney needs, as the new airport, new homes and new jobs arrive. 

“Under the neglect of the former Liberal National government, Western Sydney families have dealt with roads and infrastructure that struggled to keep up with the region’s rapid growth. 

“By investing in these arterial roads, we’re making sure local residents spend less time stuck in traffic and more time at home with their families,” Acting Minister for Western Sydney Courtney Houssos said. 

Elizabeth Drive: $800 million transformation 

The current single-lane Elizabeth Drive is under traffic pressure due to more than 28,000 vehicles using this road each day. 

This upgrade will widen the road to a two-lane dual carriageway at priority sections between Devonshire Road and Western Road, with upgraded intersections to provide safer access to Kemps Creek, Badgerys Creek, Luddenham and the emerging Bradfield City. 

Mamre Road Stage 2: $1 billion employment corridor 

The $1 billion investment will continue the works being delivered in Stage 1. The second stage will upgrade Mamre Road from Erskine Park Road through to Kerrs Road to support the rapidly expanding employment zones along this critical corridor. 

Key features of this upgrade include: 

• Four lane divided road with a wide central median, allowing for six lanes in future if required 

• Changes to six intersections on Mamre Road 

• A new shared path along the eastern side of Mamre Road 

• Reinstating bus stops near Banks Drive with the capacity for additional bus infrastructure in the future 

• Changes to property access for Mamre House and Erskine Park Rural Fire Service 

• Installing permanent noise walls along the eastern side of Mamre Road at St Clair 

Investigation works are already underway between Erskine Park Road and Kerrs Road. 

Garfield Road East: $440 million growth enabler 

This project will convert the key sub-arterial route between Piccadilly Street and Windsor Road to a two-lane dual carriageway to dramatically improve amenity for communities in the North West Growth Area as housing development accelerates. 

Key features of the project include: 

• Widening Garfield Road East to four lanes (two lanes in each direction with 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 that flow of traffic 

• Bus priority at signals and bus lanes to improve bus services 

Environmental assessments for all three projects will be publicly displayed later this year, with construction to commence following community consultation. 

Transport for NSW is asking industry submissions to be submitted at GREU_Procurement@transport.nsw.gov.au  

“With more than 28,000 vehicles using Elizabeth Drive every day, we have worked with our federal colleagues to secure the funding to turn the priority sections of the current single lane road, which is stressed by the traffic using it into a dual lane, dual carriageway which will mean safer trips and less congestion for road users and locals. 

“For communities like Kemps and Badgerys Creek, it will mean safer access in and out of those villages along with access to other facilities such as sporting fields in the area. 

“For Mamre and Garfield roads, we are improving these roads to cater for growth in the area. These projects will drastically improve community amenity as these suburbs continue to grow,” Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said. 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW (1, 2, 3, 4); Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Infrastructure Magazine