The NSW Government’s $720 million planned upgrade of Richmond Road in Western Sydney will today reach a major milestone with the first sod turned to mark the start of major work on the project.
The upgrade is set to ease congestion, improve safety and support future housing, development and connectivity across the growing region.
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% during the morning peak and 34% in the afternoon peak once complete.
“This is exactly the kind of practical infrastructure we’re focused on delivering to support growing communities in Western Sydney,” said NSW Premier, Chris Minns.
“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.”
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.
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.
“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,” said NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison.
