$5 billion for roads and maritime in 2012-13 budget

“This year’s budget includes a significant investment aimed at tackling congestion in our busy city areas and improving our rural and regional network with major commitments to the Pacific, Princes, Hume and Great Western highways,” NSW Roads and Ports Minister Duncan Gay announced today.

Features of the roads and maritime budget include:

• $2.2 billion for new roads;
• $1.3 billion for maintenance of the State’s existing roads;
• $311 million for improvements to the traffic network;
• $270 million for road safety; and
• $17 million for commuter wharf upgrades.

“NSW’s road network spans 20,000 kilometres. The NSW Government is determined to fix the mess left behind from 16 years of Labor neglect and get on with the job of building and maintaining these important roads which are critical to the future of this State.

“We are committing $941 million towards duplicating the Pacific Highway and finally getting this dangerous stretch of road upgraded.

“The NSW Government is providing $341 million towards upgrading vital roads infrastructure to support the growth of housing and jobs in Western Sydney.

“Importantly, we are also providing $30 million towards building Sydney’s missing motorway link.

“In keeping with our election promise we are planning ahead for a future Sydney motorway network, in anticipation of the State Infrastructure Strategy being released by Infrastructure NSW in September.

“Delivering on another key election commitment, the NSW Government is also continuing the previously announced $200 million package across four years to tackle congestion and safety on key routes.”

Key initiatives to improve NSW roads include:

• $530 million to continue building the Hunter Expressway between the F3 Freeway at Seahampton and the New England Highway at Branxton (State and Federal funded);
• $240 million to start work on the Pacific Highway upgrade between Tintenbar and Ewingsdale, north of Ballina (State and Federal funded);
• $180 million to continue work on the dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Coffs Harbour (Sapphire) and Woolgoolga (State and Federal funded);
• $90 million to start major work on the Gerringong upgrade of the Princes Highway between Mount Pleasant and Toolijooa Road;
• $70 million to continue planning the upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Woolgoolga and Ballina (State and Federal funded).

This year’s Budget also has funds allocated to complete a number of important projects including:

• $100 million to complete the Holbrook bypass as the final stage of the Hume Highway duplication between Sydney and Melbourne (State and Federal funded);
• $59 million to complete the dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway at Bulahdelah (State and Federal funded).

Key election commitments being delivered by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will see funding towards key infrastructure projects including:

• $10 million to finalise planning and start work on the four lane divided road upgrade of Nelson Bay Road, between Bobs Farm and Anna Bay;
• $9 million to upgrade the New England Highway between the hospital and railway station roundabouts in Maitland;
• $8 million to upgrade of Raymond Terrace-Dungog Road by Port Stephens and Dungog councils;
• $6 million to upgrade Hunter Region wine roads;
• $5 million to upgrade of Wallanbah and Avalon Road by Greater Taree Council;
• $1 million for replacement of railway level crossing on Woy Woy Road at Horsfield Bay; and
• $1 million to upgrade Wisemans Ferry Road on the Central Coast.

Source: Projectlink.com.au

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