Work has begun to transform a a two-lane rural road in Schofields into a major four-lane thoroughfare.
The start of construction on the $33 million upgrade of Hambledon Road between Stanhope Parkway and Schofields Road was announced by Blacktown City Council and Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly on April 3.
The project will be completed under a partnership between the council and the NSW government.
The government has provided about $27 million of the $33 million required for the upgrade, with the council contributing the remainder of the funds and managing its design and construction.
Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali said the upgrade was made possible after the council successfully lobbied the government for a total $58.5 million, which would not only upgrade Hambledon Road but widen Boundary Road and McCulloch Street, between Schofields Road and Riverstone Road, Riverstone.
“Hambledon Road will be upgraded by Blacktown City Council from a two-lane rural road to a four-lane major urban road,” Cr Bali said.
“Hambledon Road is a high capacity urban road and its reconstruction and widening is essential to improving access within the Alex Avenue precinct to Schofields railway station, Schofields Road and local schools.
“Once completed the new road will act as a regional road network helping to move people through our roads, cater to future growth, improve traffic conditions and unlock land for housing development.
“I’m pleased the government’s Restart NSW Fund agreed with our proposal to improve our infrastructure and cater to our growing population in the city’s northwest.”
Mr Conolly and Planning Minister Anthony Roberts visited the site to see the works commence.
Mr Roberts said government funding for key road infrastructure in Schofields would help deliver more new homes in the area sooner.
“The NSW government’s $27 million funding coupled with $6 million from council will support the delivery of up to 8,500 new homes within what is known as the Alex Avenue precinct,” he said in a statement.
“When completed, the new road corridor will improve essential transport linkages, including public transport, with regionally significant access to a new Schofields railway station which is set to become a major transport node in the system.”
Mr Conolly also welcomed the upgrade.
“First home buyers identify this area as an opportunity to create a home for their families and it’s a really positive sign that we are seeing an investment in infrastructure,” he said.
“The road works will make life easier for residents, improving the trip between the Alex Avenue precinct, the Schofields railway station and local schools.”
The Hambledon Road project is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
Upgrades to the Boundary Road/McCulloch Street project is scheduled to begin in May 2018 with a completion date expected by December 2020.
