Picton Rd listed on Infrastructure Australia priority list

It’s the major thoroughfare between Sydney and Wollongong that has seen numerous fatal crashes in only a few short years.

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A major thoroughfare between Sydney and Wollongong, which has had numerous fatal crashes in only a few short years, has been added to Infrastructure Australia’s priority list.

Between October 2012 and September 2017 six fatal crashes and 30 serious injury crashes on Picton Rd were recorded — resulting in another eight deaths and 41 serious injuries.

The figures are close to 2.5 times the NSW average for the number of fatal and serious crashes per kilometre for similar type roads.

About 20,000 vehicles use Picton Rd each day. Picture: Robert Pozo

The road’s nomination to the list by the NSW Government could mean federal funding will assist in future upgrades.

About 20,000 vehicles use Picton Rd each day, with 22 per cent being heavy vehicles.

Infrastructure Australia senior economist Rob Busch said safety issues and continued traffic delays were key issues identified by the federal body.

“One of the contributing factors to the safety issue is the heavy vehicles but there’s also a lot of tight turns and few overtaking lanes,” he said.

“There are far too many crashed on the road and you’ve got a lot of growth in the Macarthur region and the Wollongong region so Picton Rd will only get busier.

The road is used often by heavy vehicles. Picture: Robert Pozo

“What will happen now is the proponent, being the NSW Government will put together a business case and we will provide advice to the Federal Government on providing funding.”

An RMS spokeswoman said Picton Rd was identified for upgrades within the next 10 years as part of the State Government’s Future Transport 2056 plan.

“The Australian and NSW governments have funded over $60 million in safety improvements on Picton Road since 2010, in which time the number of crashes fell by almost 25 per cent and head-on crashes fell by almost 80 per cent,” she said.

“These safety improvements include the installation of median safety barriers, interchange upgrades and acceleration lanes for heavy vehicles exiting the rest areas on Picton Road.”

A fatal truck has occurred between a car transporter and a tip truck with dog trailer on Picton Road at Wilton in March 2017.

The spokeswoman said the NSW Government has also provided funding for median barriers to be installed 7.5km south of Macarthur Drive.

“The project, with $654,000 in funding under the Safer Roads program, is in the development phase and discussions are under way to determine the final scope of works. Construction is due to start in 2019,” she said.

“An additional $200,000 under the Saving Lives on Country Roads program has been allocated to help develop future safety improvements on Picton Road, including safety barrier, widened centre lines and audio tactile line marking.”