Mr O’Farrell and Mr Gay were joined by local MPs Andrew Rohan, Tanya Davies, Stuart Ayres and Bart Bassett before the Erskine Park Link Road was opened to traffic.
Mr O’Farrell said he was proud to announce the project was completed on time and $7 million under budget.
“This is the first major road project to be started and completed by the NSW Government and it’s appropriate we are in Western Sydney,” he said.
“The Erskine Park Link Road will ease congestion on local roads by redirecting trucks from residential streets onto the M7 and M4 motorways.
“This year’s State Budget also outlined a $70 million plan to upgrade Old Wallgrove Road, which will link the Erskine Park Link Road to the M7.
“We are delivering key infrastructure and are in the process of unlocking thousands of hectares of land to help create jobs in Western Sydney.
“Creating more jobs in Western Sydney will allow residents to spend less time in their cars and more time with their families.
“This is proof we’re getting on with the job and people are seeing improved infrastructure under this government,” Mr O’Farrell said.
Mr Gay said the NSW Government had delivered on an election commitment for the people of Western Sydney who were let down for 16 years under Labor.
“During construction this project provided significant benefits to the people of Western Sydney,” Mr Gay said.
“At its peak 52 people were employed as part of this project, which in total required 47,327 hours to build and involved moving around 153,000 cubic metres of earth, equivalent to 62 Olympic sized swimming pools.
“Work on the road started in October 2011, and included three intersections, drainage and road surfacing work and an 80 metre long bridge across Ropes Creek,” he said.
Member for Smithfield Andrew Rohan said the road would improve access to homes and businesses across Western Sydney.
“Now that the road has been completed on time and under budget the area will become more attractive to businesses looking to move in or relocate,” Mr Rohan said.
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said she was pleased to see the road completed within the promised timeframe.
“Improving road access to areas that have been earmarked as employment hubs will help create jobs for communities in Western Sydney,” Ms Davies said.
The Erskine Park Link Road does the following:
- Connects Lenore Lane at Erskine Park and Old Wallgrove Road at Eastern Creek with a 3.1km four lane divided road;
- Provides a vital link between the Western Sydney employment area and the M7 and M4 motorways;
- Reinforces the Western Sydney employment area as a significant employment hub;
- Reduces industrial traffic on the existing Erskine Park Road and adjoining local roads;
- Improves traffic flow in Western Sydney with direct connections to and from the
- M7 Motorway;
- Provides a new shared cycle/pedestrian path; and,
- Reduces transport costs for industry located in the Western Sydney employment area
For more information on the Old Wallgrove Road upgrade, the next significant project in the Western Sydney Employment area visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects
