Local motorists are reaping the benefits of Penrith’s The Northern Road and Derby Street intersection upgrade with construction on the project now complete.
The $7.4 million, federally funded upgrade includes better traffic flow at the critical intersection that services Nepean Hospital and the surrounding health precinct.
It also means further improvements to road links between the future Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and the centre of Penrith.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the upgrades would ease congestion for all motorists including heavy vehicles travelling between the new airport, Penrith and Blacktown.
“With the new airport, residential growth and the proximity of the University of Western Sydney campus, there will be greater demand on The Northern Road,” Mr Tudge said.
“It’s for these reasons that we have prioritised investing in targeted upgrades like this one to iron out future congestion problems.”
The Morrison Government funded the works under the $200 million Local Roads Package – part of the $4.1 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan (WSIP).
It’s expected about 4,000 direct and indirect jobs will be supported across the 10-year life of the WSIP.
Federal Member for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh said The Northern Road was an important local link facing growing levels of traffic.
“Investigations show there has been a significant number of crashes and traffic delays on The Northern Road, particularly at peak times. The project will give valuable time back to families and businesses and make the area an even better place in which to live and work,”s said Ms McIntosh.
“This critical upgrade includes increased right-turn capacity on The Northern Road northbound at Great Western Highway, median adjustment and lane widening on The Northern Road southbound at Great Western Highway, widening Derby Street approaches to The Northern Road to enable dedicated right-turn lanes and a new roundabout at the intersection of Bringelly Road and Caddens Road and we’ve already had positive feedback from the local community about what a difference this project has made.”
Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler said the upgrade to The Northern Road and Derby Street had increased the traffic flow of the intersection, making it easier to use.
“The upgrade has brought immediate relief to the community who use the intersection to move about Penrith, but also to visitors of the Nepean Hospital and health precinct,” Cr Fowler said.
“The funding from the Australian Government has allowed Council to improve this high-volume intersection with dedicated lanes on Derby Street, which allow traffic to move across the street and also onto The Northern Road.
“In the short time these works have been completed, Council has already received many favourable comments from residents and the community on the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the works.”
Key design features of this project included increased right-turn capacity on The Northern Road northbound at Great Western Highway, median adjustment and lane widening on The Northern Road southbound at Great Western Highway, widening Derby Street approaches to The Northern Road to enable dedicated right-turn lanes and a new roundabout at the intersection of Bringelly Road and Caddens Road.
The Australian Government fully funded the $7.4 million project.
