Jamie Briggs & Duncan Gay med rel: Fixing the M4: Key milestones in delivering WestConnex

Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Jamie Briggs and NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay today announced key milestones in the delivery of the world class motorway for Sydney including the release of the M4 Widening Environmental Impact Statement.

The M4 Widening is part of WestConnex, Australia’s biggest urban road project which will provide greater Sydney with a continuous free flowing motorway.

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs said over the next month comprehensive consultation will occur with the community, including businesses, residents and motorists.

“Today marks an important milestone in the delivery of WestConnex which will provide more than $20 billion in economic benefits to New South Wales, create 10,000 jobs and help motorists bypass up to 52 sets of traffic lights when complete in 2023,” Mr Briggs said.

“The M4 Widening will feature four lanes in each direction from Parramatta to Homebush as well as ramp upgrades.

“It also includes ramp upgrades such as new direct access from southbound Homebush Bay Drive to the M4 westbound via a G-ramp and a new M4 connection for motorists heading eastbound from Hill Road, supporting the growth around Sydney Olympic Park.

“The WestConnex project is one of the Australian Government’s key infrastructure priorities to boost the productive capacity of Sydney’s transport network.

“That is why we are getting on with not only building WestConnex Stage One but also accelerating the construction of Stage Two to ensure we drive economic growth and bust congestion which is costing the economy billions,” Mr Briggs said.

“WestConnex cannot come a moment too soon for the motorists of Sydney,” Mr Gay said.

“The EIS shows the project will achieve travel time savings of up to 74 per cent for motorists using this stretch of WestConnex.

“It will save motorists up to 100,000 hours of travel time a day and $1 million a day on car maintenance.

“Pending approval, the design and construct contract for the M4 Widening would be awarded late this year.

“We’ve been carrying out unprecedented community consultation on every aspect of this project to date and that will continue with the EIS the Department of Planning has put on display today for the M4 Widening.

“Drop-in information sessions and public displays are being held along the corridor and I encourage the community to get involved.

“I am also thrilled to announce the four companies shortlisted for construction of the M4 widening have submitted their tenders and they are now being assessed.

“The M4 Widening is an exciting precursor to the tunnel to be built under Parramatta Road called the M4 East.

“A separate EIS process will be carried out next year for the M4 East,” Mr Gay said.