The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to deliver the vital infrastructure rapidly growing Western Sydney communities need, with an upgraded section of Elizabeth Drive opening to traffic - a major milestone in the $2.1 billion toll-free M12 Motorway project.
Significant upgrades have taken a 2.2km stretch of Elizabeth Drive from a one lane road, to a three-lane dual carriageway. This transformation will increase road safety by significantly easing congestion for the 28,000 vehicles who drive this route daily.
As well as tripling the roadway for motorists, these upgrades also included a bridge that will stretch over the new Western Sydney Airport metro line, and Worimi Drive.
Elizabeth Drive is a key access route to the Western Sydney (Nancy-Bird) International Airport and rapidly growing Western Sydney communities including Bradfield, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek and greater Liverpool.
Once opened the M12 will provide direct access to the Airport and connect the Northern Road in the west with Elizabeth Drive and the M7 Motorway in the East.
Delivered in partnership with Albanese Labor Federal Government the M12 Motorway is on Budget and on time, with 14km of 16km of roadworks now completed opening of the motorway is on track for early next year. Under a Labor Government this road will remain in public hands.
The Minns and Albanese Government are also investing a further $800 million for additional improvements on another section of Elizabeth drive, which will see the widening of an additional section from Devonshire Road towards the Airport from one to two lanes in each direction.
Planning for this work which will address congestion and increase reliability and safety for the community is currently underway.
In this year's Budget the Minns Labor Government is investing over $2.7 billion for road infrastructure which will ensure the Aerotropolis meets its full potential, and growing local communities are receiving their fair share. These works which will complement the M12, include:
- $50 million for critical road upgrades across the Aerotropolis, including traffic lights and signals at the Elizabeth Drive and Luddenham Road intersection and a new turning lane at the Mamre Road and Kerrs Road intersection
- $39 million to plan three key routes - Devonshire Road, Devonshire Link Road and Bradfield Metro Link Road - including a $12.5 million contribution from the Albanese Labor Government
- $29.6 million for an incident management and response team to deploy rapidly to accidents and traffic delays. The new team will support key routes to and from the airport, along with the broader South Western Sydney road network
- $30 million for more than 1000 new green directional signs across Sydney directing to the Aerotropolis and Western Sydney Airport.
For more information about the M12 Motorway and the Elizabeth Drive projects, go to the M12 Motorway web page and the Elizabeth Drive upgrade web page.
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
"This is a really exciting milestone, for families and industry alike.
"These upgrades will increase safety for the 28,000 drivers who use this road daily by massively easing congestion.
"The previous Liberal-National Government failed to move this project along as quickly as they could have. Time and again they made announcements they didn't fund or get started.
"In contrast, we have been pushing for completion on the M12 and Elizabeth Drive Upgrade and committed an extra $800 million together with the Albanese Government to get the job done properly.
"The recent Budget contained a further package of $150 million towards other essential roads upgrades and projects around the Aerotropolis.
"That is on top of $2.55 billion allocated to existing Aerotropolis roads projects over four years, taking the total commitment to $2.7 billion."
