Western Sydney residents are breathing a sigh of relief as a long-standing traffic bottleneck has been eliminated with the official opening of the upgraded Prospect Highway.
The federal and state governments jointly funded and delivered the $280 million project, transforming the once congested single-lane road into a modern divided highway with up to six lanes.
The 3.6-kilometre upgrade has significantly improved traffic flow on this major arterial route, which connects Western Sydney motorists to key motorways including the M4, Great Western Highway, Old Windsor Road, and M2.
Previously plagued by slow-moving traffic, the highway now boasts six lanes between St Martins Crescent and Blacktown Road, and four lanes between Blacktown Road and Reservoir Road.
The impact on travel times has been dramatic.
What was once a 20-minute journey along this section of Prospect Highway has been reduced to just five minutes.
Additionally, the speed limit has been increased from 60 km/h to 70 km/h between Reservoir Road and St Martins Crescent, thanks to the improved safety features of the wider, divided road.
Key features of the upgrade include:
- Two new bridges over the M4 and Great Western Highway
- A new link road between Great Western Highway and Prospect Highway
- Kerb-side bus lanes in both directions
- Multiple upgraded and signalised intersections
- A new kiss-and-ride facility at Shelley Public School
- A new pedestrian underpass
- An upgraded 3.7km shared user path on the western side
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King emphasised the project’s significance, stating: “About 35,000 motorists and 5,000 heavy vehicles who use this road daily will benefit from reduced congestion, faster travel times, and safer journeys.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns highlighted the upgrade’s importance for the region, stating: “This upgrade gets drivers moving again on a safer road, and less time sitting in traffic means more time at home with family and friends.”
The project has not only improved traffic flow but also created approximately 2,000 jobs throughout its lifecycle.
It has also benefitted public transport users with new bus lanes and enhanced safety for pedestrians and cyclists through the upgraded shared path.
As Western Sydney continues to grow, with Blacktown expected to house over 563,000 people by 2041, this infrastructure upgrade is set to play a crucial role in supporting the region’s development and improving accessibility for its residents.
