Residents, producers and businesses in the northern part of the Cootamundra electorate are one step closer to a streamlined freight and transport link to Sydney with the Castlereagh Corridor now officially secured.
The vital link between Kurrajong and the M7 Motorway is being preserved as part of the NSW Government’s investment into the regions by securing transport corridors between Sydney and Western NSW.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the three transport corridors to be preserved identified a new road alignment to the Bells Line of Road – Castlereagh Connection, which will enable freight and passengers from the northern parts of the Cootamundra electorate to link up with a planned freeway ring road around Sydney.
“Securing the corridor for the future Castlereagh Connection means motorists travelling on the Bells Line of Road now have the certainty that future upgrades on this important east-west corridor will be delivered,” Ms Pavey said.
“This connection will improve integration to the planned Outer Sydney Orbital network and the M4, creating a smoother, more reliable journey and reducing pressure on major arterial roads like The Northern Road.”
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the preservation of the Castlereagh Corridor tackles the significant engineering challenge of crossing the Great Dividing Range.
“Securing this corridor reinforces that only the Liberals and Nationals Government can deliver future upgrades, to increase capacity and improve freight access.”
Since coming to government in 2011, the NSW Government has tripled the budget for road infrastructure in the Central West, completing over 80 major road infrastructure projects in the last six years boosting productivity for freight and logistics and boosting local jobs.
Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless said the region will benefit from better road connections to Sydney under corridor reservation plans released for public consultation today.
“Community members are invited to have a say on the proposed recommended corridors at transport.nsw.gov.au/corridors and help shape this exciting future corridor for our state.”
