Works start on fourth stage of Northern Road upgrade

The fourth stage of the Northern Road upgrade between Mersey Road at Bringelly and Eaton Road at Luddenham has started in New South Wales, Australia.

This stage will see approximately 5.5km of new road constructed to realign a section of the Northern Road currently running through the Western Sydney Airport site.

Overall, almost 35km of road is being upgraded with an investment of A$1.6bn ($1.16bn), including work from Glenmore Parkway to Jamison Road and from Peter Brock Drive to Mersey Road.

The Northern Road upgrade project is part of the Coalition and NSW governments’ A$3.6bn ($2.61bn) Western Sydney infrastructure plan, which seeks to enhance safety, boost road capacity and cut travel times.

NSW Roads, Maritime and Freight Minister Melinda Pavey said: “More than 15,000 vehicles currently use this section of the Northern Road daily but this number is expected to significantly increase once the new Western Sydney Airport opens in 2026.

“The upgrade will help meet those new demands and is another piece of critical infrastructure that will support the Western Sydney community for years to come.”

The fourth stage of the road upgrade is expected to open to traffic in 2021.

This major arterial upgrade will improve transport connections between Penrith, the M4 Motorway, Western Sydney Airport, and surrounding areas.

A new pedestrian and cycling path will be constructed on the western side of the Northern Road, while pedestrian paths will be built on the eastern side.

Senator Marise Payne said: “Our local roads plan is all about connecting our communities together with modern infrastructure to support growth and maximise opportunities in Western Sydney.

“Once complete, the Northern Road Upgrade will enhance access between Penrith and south western Sydney which will result in shorter travel times and boost motorist safety.”