First stage of WestConnex opens
28 July 2017
NSW Government: The widened New M4 is officially
open to traffic, marking a major step forward in delivering Australia’s
largest infrastructure project,
WestConnex.
In time for start of the school term, drivers will be experiencing four
lanes in each direction between Parramatta and Homebush, following a
gradual opening of sections as they have been completed.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today inspected the widened New M4 at Auburn,
as work progresses rapidly on other stages of WestConnex.
“After a massive 4.3 million hours worked, we have got the first section
of WestConnex open, but there’s much more to come with the New M4
tunnels now more than half excavated,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“More than 100,000 vehicles a day currently use the M4, which is
congested for up to 13 hours a day, costing taxpayers and businesses
billions of dollars each year in time delays and lost productivity.”
WestConnex is a part of the NSW Government’s $73 billion infrastructure
program to tackle congestion and ease the freight task across
Sydney’s
west.
Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said: “Crews have worked around the clock
as part of our plan to build a better Sydney for everyone, so tradies,
truckies, mums and dads can get on with their lives instead of being
stuck in gridlock every day.
“I thank people for their patience during construction of this first
vital section of WestConnex which will deliver faster, safer and more
reliable trips.”
A distance-based toll of between $1.77 and $4.56 will be implemented on
the widened section of the M4 between Parramatta and Homebush including
the new eastbound on-ramp at Hill Road, from 15 August 2017 following a
one month toll-free period.
By early 2019, the widened section of the New M4 will connect to the New
M4 tunnels currently under construction, creating a traffic-light-free
connection between Parramatta and the City West Link at Haberfield.
Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said the
Commonwealth was pleased to be supporting WestConnex with $1.5 billion
in grant funding and a $2 billion concessional loan to the NSW
Government.
“The Turnbull Government recently announced a record commitment of $75
billion over the next decade for road and rail infrastructure projects
around Australia,” Mr Fletcher said.
The fully completed WestConnex will transform Sydney’s transport network
by linking the New M4 and New M5 via underground tunnels to create a
continuous free-flowing bypass of the CBD, with links to the port and
airport precincts.
--ENDS--
Source: Roads & Maritime Services - www.rms.nsw.gov.au
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