Detailed design is now under way on Stage 1 of the $190 million Horsley Drive Upgrade in Western Sydney.
The project is focused on resolving congestion at the M7 Motorway and Wallgrove Road intersection.
The upgrades, jointly funded by the NSW and Federal Governments, aim to strengthen east–west connectivity between the Western Sydney Employment Area, the M7 Motorway, and the Smithfield–Wetherill Park industrial precinct.
The 600-metre Stage 1 section will see The Horsley Drive and Wallgrove Road widened, delivering new turning lanes, upgraded medians and islands, and provision for future shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
Detailed design will incorporate an additional eastbound lane west of Wallgrove Road, an extra right-turn lane for westbound traffic onto Wallgrove Road northbound, a second eastbound lane between the M7 and Wallgrove Road, and an additional right-turn capacity from Wallgrove Road northbound to The Horsley Drive eastbound.
The upgrade has been staged to prioritise sections with the highest benefit–cost ratio.
Stage 1 was selected due to its potential to alleviate heavy intersection congestion and improve freight efficiency on a strategic route servicing industrial and logistics zones.
Geotechnical, contamination and utilities investigations are scheduled to commence shortly to support the final design, with temporary lane closures expected during this phase.
Construction tenders for Stage 1 are anticipated to open by mid-2026, with a two-year construction window forecast once contracts are awarded.
The broader program also includes a developer-led Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) currently under NSW Government review.
If approved, it would deliver an additional 800-metre dual carriageway upgrade between the M7 and Cowpasture Road, further easing pressure on the corridor.
Provision has been made for a four-lane divided road with a wide median to support a future six-lane configuration. The design also accommodates integration with the ongoing M7 widening works, which are scheduled for completion in 2026 and intended to bolster access to the Western Sydney International Airport precinct.
While community feedback on the VPA is under consideration, land acquisition processes for Stage 1 are progressing in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.
