Liverpool: M5 motorway between Moorebank Ave and Hume Hwy to be upgraded
The government claims long-suffering commuters will be up for an easier ride home with plans to improve traffic flow at a notorious black spot on the M5 given the green light. WATCH THE VIDEO.
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Plans for a new two-lane bridge across the Georges River and an underpass at a notorious black spot on the M5 motorway will go ahead in a bid to improve safety and ease congestion.
Transport for NSW has released a consultation report and confirmed it will proceed with the recommended design option it flagged last year.
Under the proposed changes, a two-lane bridge will be built across the Georges River, Powerhouse Rd, railway lines and Lakewood Cr, to provide westbound motorists easier access to the Hume Hwy exit.
Currently, drivers experience congestion through Moorebank in the afternoon peak due to traffic entering the motorway westbound at Moorebank Ave and merging with traffic already on the motorway wanting to exit at the Hume Hwy.
The NRMA has previously identified the weave between Moorebank Ave and the Hume Hwy as one of the top 10 locations for collisions in NSW.
With truck movements set to increase as a result of activities at Moorebank Logistics Park, the congestion is expected to worsen.
A new underpass would also be built at Moorebank Ave to connect with the bridge and the existing exit from the M5 Motorway to Hume Hwy would be closed.
A Transport for NSW spokesman said the contract for the concept design and review of environmental factors had been awarded and design work was underway.
“A time frame to build and complete the project will be made after this stage,” the spokesman said.
“The project will help reduce congestion at the location and improve access to the Liverpool CBD, supporting economic growth in south western Sydney.”
The review of environmental factors is expected to be released in 2021 and will reveal how much travel time will be shaved off for westbound motorists.
The cost of the project will be known once the concept design is completed.
Holsworthy state Liberal MP Melanie Gibbons said the Moorebank Intermodal should foot part of the cost.
“We know we will see a major increase of traffic from the Intermodal and so whilst this upgrade is needed, it needs to be done with the impacts of that in mind, and as such, the costs should be shared with that facility,” she said.
Ms Gibbons said the project will be “positive for our area overall”, but held concerns over the impact it will have on surrounding neighbours and the environment.
“I made a submission during the consultation period calling for noise walls to be installed and for as much flora and fauna to be saved as possible.”