The New South Wales Government has awarded a major works contract to deliver the Airport East road upgrade at Sydney Airport.
John Holland will deliver the $170 million project which includes a new road underpass beneath the rail line linking General Holmes Drive, Botany Road and Wentworth Avenue.
Joyce Drive and General Holmes Drive will also be widened to three lanes in each direction between O’Riordan Street and Mill Pond Road.
A Roads and Maritime Services spokesperson said the NSW Government provided $50 million for the essential upgrade in the 2016/17 budget.
“Sydney Airport accounts for 43 per cent of Australia’s international passenger journeys, 23 per cent of domestic passenger movements and around 50 per cent of international air freight,” the spokesperson said.
“With passenger numbers expected to double by 2033, the NSW Government is getting on with delivering key upgrades on every approach to the airport precinct.
“Early work for the project has already been completed, including a temporary rail deviation built by the Australian Rail Track Corporation to allow work to progress on the underpass.”
The spokesperson said major work is expected to begin in early 2017.
“When the project is completed by early 2019, weather permitting, motorists will benefit from improved travel speeds and times.
“During the morning peak, more than 5000 vehicles travelling from Southern Cross Drive to Sydney Airport would experience travel times reduced by about 50 per cent.
“During the evening peak, the greatest benefit would be experienced by more than 10,000 vehicles on the Southern Cross Drive eastbound route, with reductions in travel times of about 60 per cent.”
