State to invest millions to improve traffic flow in western Sydney

‘‘Pinch points’’ identified by the state government as major bottlenecks on Sydney roads will get $17.5 million to improve traffic flows.

Premier Barry O’Farrell announced the funding for 11 sites today at the intersection of the Cumberland and Great Western highways in Greystanes.

The money will be spent on upgrading intersections, off-ramps and connecting roads, the Premier said.

Asked if the work would be akin to ‘‘rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic’’, Mr O’Farrell said the minor upgrades would contribute to saving people time on the roads.

‘‘This program is all about making life easier for motorists: whether it’s intersection upgrades along the Hume Highway or a new lane for the F3 and Pacific Highway off-ramp,’’ he said.

“The NSW government is committed to addressing traffic congestion and these relatively minor upgrades all save motorists a few precious minutes.’’

Mr O'Farrell said more road projects would be announced after the Infrastructure NSW review was finished later this year.

He said the government would need to fund major works through the introduction of new toll roads or public-private partnerships.

The 11 ''pinch point'' projects:

• Cumberland Highway between Great Western Highway and M4 Motorway: localised road widening to improve the overall operational efficiency of the interchange.

• Concord Road/Parramatta Road intersection: extension of the right turn bay on Concord Road to improve the operational efficiency of the intersection.

• F3 off-ramp on to the Pacific Highway: widening of the southbound ramp to provide three left turning lanes. This project aims to reduce the queue back to the F3, which can be a safety and efficiency issue, particularly during the morning peak period.

• Cumberland Highway/Hume Highway intersection: local widening to increase the capacity of the intersection and improve operational efficiency.

• Hume Highway/Campbelltown Road intersection: extension of right turn bays to benefit through-traffic on the Hume Highway.

• Hume Highway/Hoxton Park Road intersection: extension of right turn bay to benefit through-traffic on the Hume Highway.

• Hume Highway/Liverpool Street Intersection: provision of a new right turn bay to benefit through-traffic on the Hume Highway, improving traffic efficiency and road safety.

• Widening of Powers Road at the intersection with Old Windsor Road, to improve the operational performance of the intersection.

• Hume Highway/Horsley Drive intersection: upgrade of left turn facility from Hume Highway to Horsley Drive to improve operational efficiency, in particular for heavy vehicles.

• Parramatta Road/Frederick Street intersection: extension of right turn bays to benefit through-traffic on Parramatta Road.

• Widening Boundary Street, between the Pacific Highway and Archer Street: start of preliminary planning and design work.

• Development of future pinch point projects, including investigations along Pennant Hills Road, James Ruse Drive, Canterbury Road, Henry Lawson Drive, Woodville Road and Taren Point Road.