Let’s get started – critical airport roads receive final funding of $1b

Work can now begin on the critical roads that will link the Western Sydney International Airport to the rest of Sydney with a $1 billion funding injection.

Work can now begin on the critical roads that will link the Western Sydney International Airport to the rest of Sydney with the Minns government throwing $1 billion towards the mega-project.

The roads – some of them two-lane and lined with cow paddocks – will now begin to be transformed to meet the demands of freight and airport bus travel when the airport opens in 2026.

After more than a decade of funding argy-bargy and planning delays, the NSW budget allocation follows a $1.9 billion investment by the Albanese Government.

The race is now on to construct the roads that will connect people and communities with the new International Airport and Bradfield City Centre.

Work can now begin on the critical roads that will link the Western Sydney International Airport to the rest of Sydney. Photo: Supplied

Elizabeth Drive – which will take travellers directly to the new airport and connect major arteries of Mamre and Northern roads – will receive $400 million in the budget.

The funding – which is on top of $400 million from the Albanese Government – will enable it to be upgraded from a two-lane to a four-lane divided road.

The Minns government is also throwing another $500 million towards the next stage of construction to begin on Mamre Rd between Erskine Park and Kemps Creek.

A key freight route and zone for commercial development, the road will be widened with extra lanes to meet future growth, with upgraded and new intersections and a new shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.

The additional funding takes the total state and federal government investment in the road to $1 billion.

Roads will now begin to be transformed to meet the demands of freight and airport bus travel when the airport opens in 2026. Photo: Supplied

The funding will also enable planners to proceed to concept stage for the Eastern Ring Rd and Badgerys Creek South Rd, which will be used for airport buses and freight.

Both roads – which will feature cycleways and walkways for pedestrians – will connect to create the long-term north-south corridor east of the airport.

Another $115 million will go towards transforming Mulgoa Rd into a separated four-lane dual carriageway between Glenmore Park and Jeanette St, with $10.5 million paying for an upgraded intersection on Appin Rd at St Johns Rd, work that will better connect Wollongong and the South Coast to Campbelltown and the Western Sydney Airport precinct.

The budget will also contain funding for continued work on the M12.

Roads Minister John Graham said the investment would also create critical jobs.

“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,” he said.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the funding allocation had come despite the state facing strong economic headwinds.

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