The NSW Government is inviting stakeholders to have their say on the final stage of WestConnex, following the release of Environmental Impact Statement for the M4-M5 Link this week.
The M4-M5 Link will bridge a major gap in Sydney’s road network and link two of the city’s busiest motorways.
“The final stage of WestConnex is set to offer massive benefits to the community beyond a non-stop underground western bypass of Sydney’s CBD including new recreational open space, new shared paths and improved connectivity,” said Minister for WestConnex Stuart Ayres in a statement.
“The first 7.5 kilometres of WestConnex is already delivering massive travel savings with plenty more to come as tunnelling passed the 70 per cent mark on the New M4 tunnels and almost two kilometres on the New M5 tunnels,” he said.
Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said WestConnex will form part of the central corridor of Sydney’s future road network by connecting to projects like the Western Harbour Tunnel, reducing congestion and helping to improve liveability in inner west communities.
“Sydney’s population is forecast to grow by 1.6 million people by 2031 and without projects like the WestConnex M4-M5 Link we simply won’t be able to move freight and people around this great city,” Minister Fletcher said
The NSW Government also confirmed this week it will pursue the sale of a 51 per cent stake in Sydney Motorway Corporation (SMC) to help fund the M4-M5 Link project.
Feedback to the Environmental Impact Statement is invited at www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au by Monday 16 October, 2017.
Construction on the M4-M5 Link is expected to start in 2018 and finish in 2023.