Infrastructure: Proposed M12 motorway ‘high priority’ in coronavirus economic recovery

A critical Western Sydney motorway has soared to the top of a list of new infrastructure priorities to kickstart the economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

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A critical Western Sydney motorway has soared to the top of the list for new ­infrastructure priorities to ­revive the economy in the wake of the COVID crisis.

With record debt, high ­unemployment and disastrously low growth, Australia will  aim to build its way out of economic disaster looking to infrastructure projects ­already in the pipeline as the fastest route out of trouble.

The $1.8 billion M12 Mot­orway has been assessed by Infrastructure Australia as a “high priority project” for the nation that must be built ­before the Western Sydney Airport is finished in 2026.

An artists’ impression of what the M12 motorway will look like.

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The 16km dual carriageway between the Westlink M7 and The Northern Road was the only new road designated as urgent in the mid-year update on 155 important infrastructure projects earmarked as priorities by Infrastructure Australia.

Chief Romily Madew said spending on major transport projects would help fuel a jobs boom.

“Australia is planning its recovery from a rolling series of crises: drought, flood, the bushfires and now COVID­19,” Ms Madew said.

“This is about expanding the (infrastructure) pipeline, keeping the economy growing, helping to create jobs and attract investment.”

Ms Madew said Infrastructure Australia was working to better identify shovel-ready investments that would improve productivity given the harsh economic impacts of the pandemic.

An impression of what the M12 motorway will look like.

“We are continuing to ­assess a record number of projects and we’re encouraging (states) to identify the ­infrastructure that will best lead a COVID recovery,” she said.

The second stage of the NSW Government’s More Trains, More Services program has also been added as a “priority” project.

The program outlines major upgrades to increase capacity on the busy T4 Illawarra, and T8 Airport and south coast lines due to be completed by the end of 2022.

The lines targeted for ­improvements are among the busiest across the network, with demand expected to further increase due to population growth in the Greater Sydney Region.

Improvements to a major freight train route, including the Port Botany rail line duplication and Cabramatta Passing Loop have also been dubbed a “priority”.

The federal government has already put forward $400 million for the work, which must be completed before the volume of shipping containers passing through the route exceeds its capacity in 2026.

Upgrades will be made to the Illawarra rail line, featuring Cronulla station.

Existing infrastructure projects tapped as “high priority” across the state include the M4 Motorway upgrade improving connectivity in outer Western Sydney, and the city and southwest components of the Sydney Metro.

Infrastructure Australia has also identified broad ­national initiatives that could be delivered within five years to stimulate the economy.

These include safety ­improvements to regional roads, a national waste and recycling management plan and a national water strategy.

Infrastructure Australia has also backed a coastal inundation protection strategy to mitigate against sea-level rise and flooding impacts must be developed within the next 10 to 15 years.