Stage one of the Richmond Road upgrade was opened to traffic today, a month earlier than first predicted.
The road is now wider between Bells Creek and north of Townson Road at Marsden Park, with the first 1.7km now two lanes in each direction.
Stage two of the upgrade, to widen 2.9 kilomtres of Richmond Road from Townson Road to 900 metres north of Garfield Road West, will start today.
Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay, said the money saved on stage one would be reinvested into western Sydney roads.
“We had budgeted $46 million but favourable conditions have enabled stage one to open a month early and almost $7 million under budget,” he said.
Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly said a central median had also been installed, new traffic lights built and intersections upgraded.
“A three-metre wide off-road shared path has been built for pedestrians and cyclists,’’ he said.
‘‘Designated turning lanes, bus priority capability and improved crossing facilities have also been installed.’’
Londonderry MP Bart Bassett said the state government had provided $96 million from the Housing Acceleration Fund for stage two of the upgrade.
"New intersections with designated turning lanes and traffic lights will be built at Quarry Road, South Street, Vine Street and Garfield Road West as part of the work,” he said.
“Bus priority measures, bus bays and street lighting will also be installed to improve safety and access for public transport users, pedestrians and cyclists."
Work to transform Richmond Road to a four-lane divided road began in February 2012, with stage two of the upgrade expected to be progressively opened to motorists by the end of 2016.
