The Minns Labor Government is getting on with delivering $85,100,000 in crucial upgrades to the Wakehurst Parkway, today announcing the award of the construction contract to Ertech Pty Ltd.
With detailed design work now complete, construction is on track to begin in mid-year, with site establishment works taking place in the coming months.
Wakehurst Parkway is a key arterial route connecting Pittwater Road at North Narrabeen with Warringah Road at Frenchs Forest. The Parkway currently experiences peak period congestion and flood-related disruptions that affect travel reliability for local communities.
The upgrades to Wakehurst Parkway - a commitment by the Minns Labor Government, will deliver targeted upgrades along Wakehurst Parkway to enhance network efficiency and traffic flow, improve safety by reducing crashes in key cluster areas, increase capacity for future traffic growth and support better access for walking, cycling and public transport.
Importantly, these upgrades will include flood-improvement work between Dreadnought Road and Oxford Falls Road, marking the first step in improving flood resilience on the Wakehurst Parkway.
The contract award comes as the Minns Government today commences consultation on the Northern Beaches Network Review, a network-wide analysis of the key road corridors moving people and goods across Sydney's Lower North Shore and Northern Beaches.
The review examines the performance of the current transport network and identifies short and medium-term opportunities to improve travel reliability, reduce congestion, and enhance safety to and from the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore.
The review adopts a holistic approach and recognises key challenges across the road network, identifying practical opportunities to improve the network by making better use of existing roads and infrastructure.
Opportunities include improving bus reliability, upgrading busy intersections, improving traffic flow on key corridors, addressing rat-running through local streets and targeting safety hot spots.
The Minns Government is committed to getting the essentials right, with a focus on practical improvements that can be delivered in the short to medium term to make trips safer, more reliable and more predictable while also supporting future growth and complementing major projects already underway.
Community feedback is now being sought to test whether the Northern Beaches Network Review reflects lived experience of motorists and commuters and to help shape next steps. The community can have their say at https://nswroads.work/haveyoursay-nbnr
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
"This is a good day for the thousands of commuters who use the Wakehurst Parkway daily.
"The award of this contract represents an important step towards smoother, safer journeys for Northern Beaches motorists.
"I'd like to thank the Member for Wakehurst, Michael Regan and Member for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby and their local communities for their steadfast advocacy on this project.
"The project forms part of broader work underway to improve the road network across the Northern Beaches.
"The Northern Beaches Road Network Review puts the Northern Beaches community in the driver's seat, and we want to hear from locals, to help shape the future of transport in their community.
"People who use the network every day know what works and what doesn't, and their voices will help shape the next wave of realistic, deliverable improvements.
"By listening to local experiences, we can deliver improvements that make a real difference now and into the future.
Member for Wakehurst, Michael Regan said:
"Today we're marking a major milestone for the much-anticipated upgrades to Wakehurst Parkway. I campaigned on securing funding for these works in the 2023 election and I've been holding the NSW government to account on delivering their commitment ever since. The awarding of the contract, with a clear timeframe, gives me confidence we will see these critical works delivered.
"But there is so much more to do to improve our road network, especially our key corridors along Warringah and Pittwater Roads connecting us to Chatswood and the CBD. That's why I'm encouraging everyone to participate in the Northern Beaches Network Review consultation.
"With no rail, metro or light rail, roads are absolutely critical to the functioning of our daily lives - for both private vehicle use and mass public transport. I want to see every step possible taken to make our road and public transport network work better for Northern Beaches residents. This is an important opportunity to tell the NSW Government what we want and expect to see - please have your say."
Member for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby said:
"After decades of broken roads and promises we now have a contractor for Wakehurst Parkway and the green light and preparatory works underway for the $500,000,000 Mona Vale Road West upgrade project.
"Upgrading these major roads will be a gamechanger for Pittwater residents.
"However, we rely on the whole road and transport network, and we know it better than anyone - that's why I'm calling on everyone who commutes to have their say on the NB Network Review to ensure our intersections, corridors and bus suggestions inform our transport corridors."
