The Government of New South Wales (NSW) has approved the Sydney Gateway motorway project worth up to A$2.6bn ($1.8bn) to reduce travel time to Sydney Airport and minimise the number of trucks on local roads.

The toll-free motorway will run from the WestConnex interchange at St Peters to Sydney Airport and closer to Port Botany.

It is expected to cut travel times from Parramatta to Sydney Airport by up to 40 minutes and from Campbelltown to the airport by up to 20 minutes.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that the connection will help to fix notorious bottlenecks and congestion on roads around the airport.

“In order to secure planning approval, Sydney Gateway will undergo a complete environmental assessment along with collecting feedback from the community at key stages.”

Berejiklian further added: “With Sydney Gateway completed, drivers will be able to travel between Penrith or Parramatta and the domestic airport terminal without stopping at a single traffic light.”

Additionally, Sydney Gateway will include relocation and reconfiguration of Airport Drive, connecting to the international terminal.

The proposed motorway will also include duplication of a 3km stretch of the freight rail line between Port Botany and Mascot.

In order to secure planning approval, Sydney Gateway will undergo a complete environmental assessment along with collecting feedback from the community at key stages.

The NSW government will work with Sydney Airport Corporation, the Australian Rail Track Corporation and other key stakeholders to finalise the project.

Road structure of the Sydney Gateway is scheduled to be constructed by 2023, subject to planning approval.