Works ramp up on Stage 2 of $226m Mulgoa Road Upgrade

The jointly funded $226 million Mulgoa Road Upgrade in New South Wales is progressing well with Stage 1 works now complete and Stage 2 already underway.

The recently completed Stage 1 works between Jeanette Street Blaikie Road included widening Mulgoa Road to three lanes in each direction, improving access to and from the M4 Motorway while delivering safer, more efficient connections to surrounding retail and residential precincts.

The second stage of the upgrade will be carried out between Jeanette Street and Glenmore Parkway, with works targeting a key pinch point to help improve traffic flow and reliability for the thousands of roads users who rely on this corridor each day.

Stage 2 is due to be completed by late 2028.

“Mulgoa Road is busy, and the upgrades we’ve completed so far will make a big difference to how cars can flow on and off the M4.

“Thousands of people use this key north south road through this growing part of Sydney, so these upgrades being delivered by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments will make a real difference,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

Around 52,000 vehicles use this section of Mulgoa Road daily, making it a vital link between Penrith, Jamisontown, Glenmore Parkway and the wider western Sydney region.

Construction was carefully staged to minimise disruption and despite the challenges of working on a live traffic corridor, the project was delivered ahead of time and on budget.

Crews put more than 743,500 hours of work on the first stage of the Mulgoa Road Upgrade, with works involving:

• Widening the road from four lanes to six lanes to increase capacity
• Constructing or relocating 8 kilometres of underground utilities including water, sewer, gas, electricity and telecommunications
• Installing 2,460 tonnes of steel reinforcement
• Pouring more than 6,750 cubic metres of concrete
• Laying over 12,000 tonnes of asphalt
• Upgrading five signalised intersections to ease congestion

This stage also delivered new dedicated bus priority lanes on Wolseley Street and Glenbrook Street to improve bus travel.

“For far too long, Penrith residents have seen housing development in the local area surge ahead without the critical infrastructure to support it.

“The former Liberal government simply failed to plan for our community’s growth, so having stage 1 of this long overdue upgrade delivered ahead of time and on budget is an important step forward.

“There’s more to do, and the Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver the vital road upgrades communities like ours deserve – so residents can spend less time in traffic and more time with their families,” NSW Deputy Premier and State Minister for western Sydney Prue Car said.

On the other hand, Stage 2 works will include:

• Replacing the roundabout at Glenmore Parkway and Mulgoa Road with traffic lights
• Mulgoa Road, south of the intersection:
  • Three lanes approaching Glenmore Parkway intersection
  • A right turn slip lane northbound
  • Two lanes south of the intersection
  • Right turn bay to turn in Gibbes Street
• Glenmore Parkway:
  • Two lanes approaching Mulgoa Road westbound
  • A bus lane at the intersection
  • Two slip lanes for left turn movements from Mulgoa Road southbound
• Mulgoa Road, north of the intersection:
  • Three lanes north of the intersection
  • Two longer turn lanes to the M4 eastbound
• Upgrade of the intersection at Spencer Street/Schoolhouse Road (no extra lanes):
  • A shared path on the eastern side of the upgraded road and pedestrian path on the western side

Earlier this year, the Mulgoa Road Alliance - comprised of Seymour Whyte and Turnbull Engineering - was appointed as delivery partner for Stage 2.

“We know how busy Mulgoa Road is, with about 52,000 vehicles using this corridor every day.

“That’s why this upgrade matters.

“We’ve widened the road, improved key intersections and delivered safer access, so people can spend less time in traffic and more time where they need to be.

“With stage 2 already underway, we’re continuing to invest in the connections western Sydney needs as it grows,” NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said.

Environmental outcomes were also a key focus of the project, with over 130,000 tonnes of material recycled during construction.

While some trees were removed, the number was reduced by 20 per cent from initial estimates, with more than 450 new trees planted and measures put in place to support local wildlife, including the installation of habitat structures.

A 560-metre-long noise wall was also delivered to help reduce road noise in nearby neighbourhoods.

Further south at Mulgoa, additional safety improvements are also being delivered. This includes shoulder widening, minor road realignment, and the installation of safety barriers at the intersection of Mulgoa Road and Roscrea Drive.

“Finally, the stage 1 improvements to Mulgoa Road which have been greatly anticipated by our community for many years are completed.

“Opening these upgraded lanes, intersections and M4 interchange will make every day travel safer and easier for people travelling to and across our city,” State Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said.

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