NSW Premier reveals $695 million congestion-busting package

Sydney motorists would benefit from a $695 million congestion-busting package, including the installation of ‘intelligent’ traffic lights at 500 intersections, if the Coalition is returned to government at the state election this month.

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Sydney motorists would benefit from a $695 million congestion-busting package if the Coalition is returned to government at the state election this month.

The measures include $400 million to install "intelligent" traffic lights at 500 intersections across Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle. The lights will read the flow of traffic and reduce the number of stops by up to 15 per cent.

It also includes $200 million to upgrade major motorways, including the M1 between Gosford and Sydney, into smart motorways and $95 million to trial digital parking and clearway signage.

The measures include $400 million to install "intelligent" traffic lights at 500 intersections.

Announcing the new measures this morning in the Liberals' most at-risk seat of East Hills, held on a wafer-thin margin of 0.4 per cent, Premier Gladys Berejikllian said the package would take pressure off families.

"We know that whether you're in Padstow or other parts of Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong — congestion is a big challenge," Ms Berejiklian told reporters in Revesby.

"It's really important for us to be at the cutting-edge of technology to keep motorists moving, to stop congestion, to reduce the stress and we're doing this because we know how stressful it is for families to get around Greater Sydney in particular, but also in other busy areas such as Newcastle and Wollongong."

The package also includes $200 million to upgrade major motorways, including the M1.

Premier Gladys Berejikllian said the package would take pressure off families.

The Premier rejected denied the announcement was more "pork barrelling" — the government is also investing $1.2 billion in expanding the pinchpoint program.

"Quite the opposite. Since the day we came to government we've been improving the road networks, the transport networks — this builds on what we've already done," she said.

Investment will start from July if the Coalition is re-elected on March 23. Rolling out the suite of measures will take three to four years.

Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said she expected data from some traffic lights would feed into the Transport Management Centre by the end of the year.

"This is about clever technology to keep the traffic flowing so the green light stays there longer and doesn't impede the flow of traffic," she said.
"We have 144 countries around the world that have invested in our traffic light technology and we're now taking it to the next level."