Major construction has officially commenced on the long-awaited Richmond Road upgrade, with the first sod turned to mark a significant milestone for one of Western Sydney’s busiest transport corridors. The $720 million project is designed to ease congestion, improve road safety and support the region’s rapid population growth, ensuring the corridor can better serve communities now and into the future.
Richmond Road currently carries up to 89,000 vehicles each day, with traffic volumes expected to rise substantially as housing and development continue to expand across the region. Modelling indicates the completed upgrades could reduce average travel times by around 21 per cent during the morning peak and 34 per cent in the afternoon peak, delivering meaningful relief for commuters and freight operators alike.
The broader Richmond Road Upgrade program consists of three major components, with the largest being the $520 million upgrade between the M7 Motorway and Townson Road. This stage will widen approximately 2.2 kilometres of Richmond Road between Colebee and Marsden Park from four lanes to six, helping to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. The works will also include a new concrete bridge over Bells Creek featuring travel lanes and a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists.
A new flyover bridge connecting the M7 Motorway Rooty Hill Road North off-ramp to Richmond Road northbound will also be constructed as part of this stage. The flyover is expected to bypass two sets of traffic lights, reducing queuing on the motorway and improving overall travel efficiency for motorists moving through the corridor.
Another key component is the $150 million upgrade between Elara Boulevard and Heritage Road, spanning around 1.6 kilometres. This section will widen the road from two lanes to a four-lane divided carriageway and include a wider central median to allow for a future expansion to six lanes if required. The improvements aim to enhance access for the growing Marsden Park community and strengthen connections to Blacktown and surrounding suburbs.
Both major construction projects are jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Government of New South Wales. In addition, a $50 million Richmond Road Corridor planning project will explore further investment opportunities between the M7 Motorway and The Driftway, helping secure the long-term future of this critical arterial route. The Australian Government has committed $37 million towards this planning work.
The upgrades will also deliver a new bus priority signalised intersection, an extended shared path connecting into Marsden Park, and improvements to flood resilience along the corridor. Contracts for the major construction packages were awarded in October last year, allowing works to move forward as part of the broader North West Growth Centre Area Road Network Strategy.
Chris Minns said the project reflects the government’s focus on delivering practical infrastructure to support growing communities in Western Sydney, noting the upgrades will cut travel times, reduce pressure on local roads and make daily trips safer and more reliable. Deputy Premier Prue Car added that state and federal governments are working together to provide much-needed relief on one of Sydney’s most congested roads.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the investment forms part of the Australian Government’s $18 billion infrastructure pipeline for Western Sydney, supporting new homes and economic growth while improving safety and reducing congestion. Other local representatives highlighted the project as long overdue, emphasising that growing communities across North West Sydney will benefit from smoother journeys, better connections and more reliable travel times once the upgrades are complete.
