The latest section of the $1.6 billion Northern Road upgrade has opened to traffic this morning after the completion of a new 5.5 km stretch of road.
Part of the Stage 4 upgrade, works have realigned a section of The Northern Road between Mersey Road and Eaton Road which currently runs through the Western Sydney Airport site.
Around 1.6 million tonnes of dirt and soil were moved to make way for the new road alignment and more than 57,000 tonnes of concrete and asphalt were used to form the new roadway.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Morrison Government had prioritised the importance of keeping vital infrastructure projects on track through the COVID-19 crisis.
“Once the entire 35 km upgrade is complete, the new Northern Road will be an important arterial route for Western Sydney Airport,” Mr Tudge said.
“It’s also another great example of us working hand-in-hand with the New South Wales government to deliver new and improved transport infrastructure for the residents and motorists of Western Sydney.
“Western Sydney is not slowing down, and this latest stage will support future growth in the area.”
New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said crews had worked hard for more than a year to get the job done.
“Work on this road began in November 2018, and in that time crews have built almost 5.5 kilometres of new road to realign a section of The Northern Road which currently runs through the airport site,” Mr Constance said.
“This upgrade is so important for Western Sydney because it improves safety, increases road capacity and will reduce travel times and congestion in the future.”
“There is still some work to do along this section of the upgrade but one lane in each direction is now open to traffic,” Mr Constance said.
“Motorists will still see crews out and about completing the northbound lanes and carrying out utility work. All lanes are expected to be open to traffic later this year.”
Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said The Northern Road Upgrade is part of the Australian and NSW government’s jointly funded $4.1 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan investment in western Sydney roads to drive economic growth in the coming decade.
“The Northern Road will capitalise on the opportunities presented by the new Western Sydney International Airport, delivered through the Australian Government’s investment in the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan,” Mr Taylor said.
“Not only will this project benefit western Sydney in the coming years, but it has created jobs and is stimulating local economies.”
New South Wales Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the upgrade was part of both governments’ commitment to invest in Western Sydney.
“Once the entire upgrade is complete in 2022, it will improve transport connections between Penrith, South West Sydney, the airport and the Aerotropolis,” Mr Ayres said.
“We are improving crucial infrastructure now ahead of the expected population and economic growth we’re going to see.”
This project is jointly funded with the Australian Government providing over $1.2 billion and the New South Wales Government over $350 million.
Footage of the Northern Road upgrade can be found here:
https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/kJBZ7gQnVm
Shot list
00:00 – 00:11 – Drone footage of upgrade in progress (June 2019)
00:11 – 00:22 – Footage of traffic traveling on existing The Northern Road
00:22 – 00:42 – Drone footage of upgrade in progress (April 2020)
00:42 – 01:38 – Overlay of upgrade in progress
01:38 – 02:25 – Driver view footage of new road
02:25 – 03:01 – Drone footage of completed southbound lanes (middle of alignment and Eaton Road end of alignment)
