A $2.6-billion commitment to upgrade Western Sydney’s transport infrastructure has been revealed ahead of the completion of the region’s international airport and as the population skyrockets.
The investment comprises $2.24 billion for three arterial road upgrades and $380 million for M5 Motorway improvements.
The federal and NSW governments will contribute equally to the funding.
Since January, more than $4 billion has been earmarked for Western Sydney transport infrastructure including roads, rail corridors and airport connections.
The investment is part of a broader $19-billion Western Sydney development program.
The airport terminal construction reached a major milestone in June when Multiplex completed the main building works.
Western Sydney International chief executive Simon Hickey said the airport “has been the catalyst for billions in investment in the region and has helped create thousands of local jobs during construction and will bring even more opportunities across our precinct and the surrounding Bradfield City and Aerotropolis once the airport opens”.
The facility is expected to handle up to 10 million passengers annually when operations begin in late 2026.
The road upgrades form a key part of preparing the region’s transport network for the expected rise in traffic caused by increased passenger, residential and employee numbers.
Elizabeth Drive would receive an $800-million upgrade to create a dual carriageway between Devonshire Road and Western Road.
The route currently handles 28,000 vehicles daily and provides access to emerging development areas including Badgerys Creek, Luddenham and the planned Bradfield city centre.
Mamre Road Stage 2 would receive $1 billion to upgrade the corridor from Erskine Park Road to Kerrs Road, supporting expanding employment zones.
Investigation works are already under way along this route, which connects industrial and logistics developments.
The $440-million Garfield Road East upgrade would convert the route between Piccadilly Street and Windsor Road to dual carriageway standard, improving access for North West Growth Area housing developments.
Other separately announced Western Sydney upgrades include the $1-billion Fifteenth Avenue upgrade to create a transit corridor between the new Aerotropolis and Bradfield metropolis to Liverpool, supporting 22,000 vehicle movements daily.
The Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley region also received $580 million for housing growth supporting 250,000 people, including flood-resilient evacuation routes and Townson Road upgrades between Richmond and Jersey roads.
The M5 Motorway project addresses freight movement bottlenecks near Liverpool, where more than 2500 trucks daily access the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal Precinct on to the Sydney motorway network via the existing bridge over the Georges River.
The upgrade includes removing the weave between Moorebank Avenue and the Hume Highway to improve safety and traffic flow for road users entering and exiting the M5 Motorway.
Seymour Whyte was last week awarded the contract to construct a three-lane bridge over Georges River and rail lines, plus a westbound underpass at Moorebank Avenue connecting the M5 Motorway westbound to the Hume Highway and upgrade the intersection between the M5 Motorway and Moorebank Avenue.
Construction on this project would commence in early 2026.
Transport for NSW anticipates the upgrade would eliminate lane-weaving manoeuvres for 3900 vehicles daily, improving freight efficiency and commuter safety during peak periods.
Property Council Western Sydney regional director Ross Grove said the investments were needed to unlock the potential of Western Sydney’s growing communities.
The combined projects target areas supporting about 100,000 potential new homes and 63,000 people expected to move to the region by 2041.
“Western Sydney’s future depends on targeted infrastructure like this,” Grove said.
Environmental assessments for the arterial road projects would be displayed publicly later this year, with construction expected following community consultation.
