Road and rail infrastructure spend surges ahead
24 June 2019
Unprecedented investment in
road and
rail
projects across
NSW will be taken to the next level, with $55.6 billion
allocated across the next four years to invest in
transport
infrastructure, easing congestion and keeping the community moving.
This includes $32.2 billion for
public transport projects and $23.4
billion for road projects.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said this investment
will deliver on the massive commitments made to improve transport
connections and services.
“The Government has invested billions of dollars in road and rail
projects across
Sydney which has improved journeys throughout Greater
Sydney,” Mr Constance said.
“This has included investment on all stages of
WestConnex, with
tunnelling on the
New M5 now complete, and the
New M4 Tunnels almost
ready to open to traffic.
“Once complete, these projects will transform the way drivers travel
around Sydney, bypassing up to 52 sets of traffic lights to provide
faster, safer and more reliable trips.
“Construction of the
Rozelle Interchange and Iron Cove Link will start
later this year and planning and preconstruction work is continuing for
the
Western Harbour Tunnel,
Beaches Link and the first stage of the
F6
Extension.”
Mr Constance said the 2019-20 Budget also provides more than $300
million to improve accessibility for rail customers, part of an $885
million spend on the Transport Access Program over 4 years. The
Government has committed to deliver a further 68 station upgrades. This
includes the renewal of Redfern, Beecroft, Bexley North, Canley Vale,
Como, Faulconbridge, Goulburn, Hawkesbury River, Lapstone, Mittagong,
Roseville, Wahroonga, Warrawee, Wyee and Wollstonecraft stations.
These upgrades will make 90 per cent of all public transport journeys
accessible and bring the total spend to $2 billion.
The budget ensures progress on the New Intercity Fleet, with $812
million towards the new trains. The fleet is designed to bring a new
level of comfort, safety and accessibility for customers travelling
between Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Blue Mountains and the
Illawarra. A new maintenance facility will also be built at Kangy Angy,
near Wyong.
In Sydney, the last of 24 new air-conditioned eight-car Waratah Series 2
trains is expected to be on the tracks within weeks, with another 17 on
order. These new trains are part of the More Trains, More Services
Program, which will deliver additional services on the Illawarra,
Airport and South Coast lines. The 2019-20 Budget includes $3.2 billion
over four years to continue the program.
The
North West Metro opened last month on time and $1 billion under
budget while construction continues on the
City & Southwest Metro line
through the city and out to Bankstown. Tunnelling is progressing well
between Chatswood and Sydenham, and this Budget includes $1.2 billion to
continue delivery of this project.
This year’s Budget includes $6.4 billion over four years for
Metro West,
delivering on the
NSW Government’s promise to accelerate construction of this landmark
project.
Mr Constance said transport projects in development and delivery are
game-changers for Sydney.
Work is ramping up on the
Parramatta Light
Rail project, with $561 million in the Budget for the project this
year. This new line will connect Westmead and Carlingford via the
Parramatta CBD and Camellia and is expected to open in 2023.
Mr Constance said major motorways aren’t the only roadways receiving
attention, with many local roads receiving much-needed upgrades.
“Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in NSW which is
why the NSW Government has committed a further $480 million to upgrade
sections of Mamre and Mulgoa
roads.
“As part of this allocation, a 3.8 kilometre section of
Mamre Road
between the M4 Motorway and Erskine Park Road will be widened to four
lanes, benefiting drivers for years to come,” Mr Constance said.
Critical pinch points across Sydney are also receiving attention, with
an additional $450 million committed to ease congestion at key traffic
bottlenecks.
In addition to this infrastructure investment, the recurrent transport
budget of $14.4 billion will fund operation of transport services and
commitments such as the Regional Seniors Transport Card.
--ENDS--
Source: NSW Government - www.transport.nsw.gov.au
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