Central NSW Councils chairman John Medcalf has welcomed a state government announcement that they would secure the Castlereagh Corridor.
Roads Minister Melinda Pavey announced on Monday morning that a corridor between the Bells Line of Road at Kurrajong and the M7 Motorway would be preserved for a future link.
Mr Medcalf said the announcement was a significant one, because the corridor would play an important part in future travel between the Central West and Sydney.
“Centroc has been advocating for this for a long time so having this corridor identified is a very positive step for the Central West,” Mr Medcalf said.
“It will create opportunities when the time comes to improve travel times but also freight links with Badgerys Creek airport and the inland rail projects coming along.”
The government has unveiled a proposed corridor that is now on public display, and they are encouraging feedback until May 18.
A proposed path for the Castlereagh Corridor. Photo: NSW government
“Securing the corridor for the future Castlereagh Connection means motorists travelling on the Bells Line of Road now have the certainty that future upgrades on this important east-west corridor will be delivered,” Ms Pavey said.
“This connection will improve integration to the planned Outer Sydney Orbital network and the M4, creating a smoother, more reliable journey and reducing pressure on major arterial roads like The Northern Road.”
Mr Medcalf said he expected a taskforce would be set up to determine the route and look into the costings of the project.
He expects a similar taskforce would to look into a possible Bells Line Expressway, or similar high-speed link between Lithgow and the Castlereagh Corridor.
The announcement this morning securing the Corridor connecting the M7 to the Bells Line of Road at Kurrajong has the Mayors of Central NSW jumping for joy. Cr Medcalf, Chair, Cr Keith Portfolio Mayor for Transport with Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight @melindapaveyMPpic.twitter.com/32pprbcsfn
— Central NSW Councils (@CentrocNSW) March 26, 2018
Government MPs from Central West electorates including Bathurst MP Paul Toole, Dubbo MP Troy Grant and Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless have welcomed the move.
“Securing this corridor reinforces that only the Liberals and Nationals Government can deliver future upgrades, to increase capacity and improve freight access,” Mr Toole said.
His comments come a week after Opposition Leader Luke Foley said neither side of politics would build a Bells Line Expressway.
Mr Grant said the government had tripled the budget for road infrastructure in the Central West in the last six years.
“We have completed over 80 major road infrastructure projects in the last six years and invested over $380 million in the regions, boosting productivity for freight and logistics and boosting local jobs,” Mr Grant said.
Mr Colless said the region would benefit from better road connections to Sydney under corridor reservation plans released on Monday for public consultation.
“Community members are invited to have a say on the proposed recommended corridors at transport.nsw.gov.au/corridors and help shape this exciting future corridor for our state.”
This story Castlereagh Corridor preservation a ‘very positive step’ first appeared on Lithgow Mercury.
