The Richmond Road upgrade will today reach a major milestone with the first sod turned, marking the start of major work on the project.
The $720 million upgrade will ease congestion, improve safety and support future housing, development and connectivity across this growing region in Western Sydney.
Up to 89,000 vehicles use Richmond Road each day, with traffic volumes forecast to increase significantly in the years ahead as the region continues to grow.
Traffic modelling shows the upgrades are expected to cut average travel times by around 21 per cent during the morning peak and 34 per cent in the afternoon peak once complete.
The Richmond Road Upgrade includes three major projects.
$520 million M7 Motorway to Townson Road upgrade:
- The M7 Motorway to Townson Road upgrade will widen Richmond Road between Colebee and Marsden Park to reduce congestion, improve safety and support future housing and development across Sydney's North West.
- Approximately 2.2 kilometres of Richmond Road will be expanded from four lanes to six lanes, including a new concrete bridge over Bells Creek with travel lanes and a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists.
- A new flyover bridge will be built from the M7 Motorway Rooty Hill Road North off-ramp to Richmond Road northbound, bypassing two sets of traffic lights and reducing congestion and queuing on the motorway.
$150 million Elara Boulevard to Heritage Road upgrade:
- The 1.6 kilometre upgrade of Richmond Road between Elara Boulevard and Heritage Road will improve access for the growing Marsden Park community and nearby suburbs, strengthening connections to Blacktown.
- This work will widen Richmond Road from two lanes to a four-lane divided carriageway and deliver a wider central median to allow for future expansion to six lanes if required.
Both projects are equally funded by the Albanese and Minns governments.
The $50 million Richmond Road Corridor planning project will investigate further investment opportunities along the corridor from the M7 Motorway to The Driftway, securing the future of one of the region's busiest and most congested arterial roadways.
The Australian Government has committed $37 million toward this planning work.
The upgrades also include a new bus priority signalised intersection, an extended shared path connecting into Marsden Park, and improved flood resilience along this busy corridor.
The contracts awarded in October last year cover the M7 Motorway to Townson Road upgrade and Elara Boulevard to Heritage Road upgrade.
The Richmond Road upgrade is part of the North West Growth Centre Area Road Network Strategy to support development in this fast-growing precinct.
These projects are part of the Australian Government's $18 billion infrastructure pipeline for Western Sydney and builds on the $7.4 billion the Minns Government has invested in Western Sydney roads since March 2023.
For more information, go to:
- nswroads.work/richmondrd-m7-townsonrd
- transport.nsw.gov.au/richmond-road-upgrade
- transport.nsw.gov.au/richmond-road-elara
Quotes attributable to Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns:
"This is exactly the kind of practical infrastructure we're focused on delivering to support growing communities in Western Sydney.
"Richmond Road is a critical corridor, with around 89,000 vehicles using it every day.
"These upgrades will cut travel times, reduce pressure on local roads and make daily trips safer and more reliable. They will mean less time stuck in traffic and more time spent with families."
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car:
"State and Federal Labor Governments are working to deliver much-needed relief on one of the most congested roads in Sydney.
"We're widening chokepoints on Richmond Road to ensure residents in our community can spend less time on the road and more time with their families.
"For far too long rapidly growing areas in North West Sydney were neglected by the Liberals and endured years of traffic congestion because of their poor planning.
"After years of broken promises, we're getting on with the job of delivering the vital road upgrades our community deserves."
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
"The Albanese Government is investing in the roads, rail and infrastructure Western Sydney needs to set it up for success.
"Our $18 billion pipeline of Western Sydney Infrastructure projects includes Sydney's new airport, and key road infrastructure like the Richmond Road upgrade.
"By partnering with the NSW Government on upgrades like this, we are reducing congestion, improving safety and supporting the delivery of new homes and economic growth across the region."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison:
"This is a project that sat on the shelves under the former Government. They threw it in the 'too hard' basket, and the people of North West Sydney have paid the price.
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering the road infrastructure Western Sydney needs to keep pace with rapid growth and rising traffic volumes.
"Growing communities, including those in North West Sydney and the lower Blue Mountains who rely on Richmond Road every day, will benefit from safer journeys, reduced congestion and more reliable travel times."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland:
"The Albanese Government is delivering the vital infrastructure our growing community in North West Sydney needs.
"These Richmond Road upgrades will provide real, everyday relief, ensuring local residents can spend less time on the road, and more time with their families."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic:
"The wait is over, the work has started, the relief is real - people out here will be stoked to see that the upgrade to Richmond Road is finally happening.
"And the fact is it was the Albanese and Minns governments that actually stepped up to fund work that had been neglected for years in one of Western Sydney's fastest growing areas. It's a great to see this upgrade finally happen."
Quotes attributable to State Member for Mount Druitt Edmond Atalla:
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering for local families who rely on Richmond Road every single day.
"This upgrade will make journeys safer and smoother, while ensuring the corridor can support future growth in our community."
Quotes attributable to State Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali:
"Our community has been calling for improvements to Richmond Road for years, and the Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job.
"These upgrades will improve access between Marsden Park and Blacktown and support the continued growth of Western Sydney."
Quotes attributable to State Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby:
"Richmond Road is a lifeline for the rapidly growing suburbs of Riverstone and Marsden Park.
"The Minns Labor Government is investing in practical improvements that will reduce congestion, improve safety and deliver better connections for our local community."
