NSW Govt invests $1bn in Western Sydney roads to better connect to the new airport

The New South Wales Government is investing $1 billion through the 2024-25 State Budget to get road projects moving to ultimately connect Western Sydney to the world. 

Connecting people and communities with the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport – which is due to open in 2026 – as well as the Bradfield City Centre is a key priority of the State Government, and this new investment builds on the recently announced funding from the Australian Government for the same roads. 

Projects to be delivered under the $1 billion funding include the Elizabeth Drive Upgrade, the next stage of the Mamre Road upgrade, Mulgoa Road project, Appin Road intersection upgrade, and planning for the Eastern Ring Road and Badgerys Creek South Road. 

“The NSW Labor Government is committed to building better roads in Western Sydney, supporting the city’s new international gateway. 

“By investing with the Australian Government, these roadways will service the new Western Sydney International Airport and the surrounding community,” Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said. 

“Our investment in roads in this region, in lockstep with the Federal Government, will provide industry the assurance to co-invest and get development moving. We are transforming and building the roads and the jobs will follow,” NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said. 

Elizabeth Drive will take travellers directly to the new Western Sydney Airport while also connecting major arterial roads such as Mamre Road and Northern Road. The upgrade will deliver two lanes in each direction alongside a median island, landscaping and paths. 

The New South Wales Government has committed $400 million towards the upgrade, taking the total funding for Elizabeth Drive to $800 million in partnership with the Australian Government. 

The Mamre Road upgrade between Erskine Park and Kemps Creek will receive an additional $500 million from the recent Budget. As a key freight route and zone for commercial development, Mamre Road will be widened with additional lanes to accommodate future growth. The project will deliver new and upgraded intersections as well as a new shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. 

With the new investment, the total joint funding from the Federal and State governments for Mamre Road now stands at $1 billion. 

The Mulgoa Road project will receive $115 million from the 2024-25 State Budget to deliver a separated four-lane dual carriageway between Glenmore Park and Jeanette Street. 

The recent NSW budget will also inject $10.5 million to Appin Road, delivering an upgraded intersection at St Johns Road to provide a stronger connection from Wollongong and the South Coast to Campbelltown and the Western Sydney Airport precinct. 

This funding will continue work on the M12, a critical link already under construction. 

Lastly, the Budget will also get planning underway for the Eastern Ring Road and Badgerys Creek South Road, which are kay future projects for the Western Sydney Airport. 

The two proposed road projects will connect to create a long-term north-south corridor east of the new airport. The Eastern Ring Road will become a major freight route and ultimately create another connection for bus services to the airport. 

Planning and construction for the projects will be staged and sequenced to ensure the road network meets growth and travel demands. 

“This is an investment in jobs in Western Sydney. 

“Today we make it clear through dollars and determination that the necessary road infrastructure will match the once in a generation, city-shaping opportunity that is the Western Sydney International Airport. 

“Along with our partners in the Australian Government, we have identified where we need to invest, what we need to plan and we will deliver in a staged and methodical way that is appropriate for a fast-growing region attracting people, commercial development and a large freight network,” Minister for Roads John Graham said. 

Western Sydney is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, with an expected population growth of two to three million people over the next 20 years. 

The 2024-25 NSW Budget guarantees the delivery of critical roads by matching funding from the Federal Government. 

This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build better communities for NSW – building infrastructure that produces stronger, well-connected communities. 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW (1, 2); Infrastructure Magazine