Construction has begun on a new 16-kilometre toll-free motorway – being built at a cost of $2 billion – which will provide a connection to the future Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
Due to open in 2026, the M12 Motorway is expected to carry 52,000 vehicles per day by 2036. It will have connectivity via Elizabeth Drive to the east and The Northern Road to the west; aiming to meet demand for the airport’s passenger and freight transport requirements.
“The M12 is an important part of the $4.4 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan and is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing over $1.6 billion to the project,” said Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King.
“This road is an essential part of the strategy to ensure Western Sydney International Airport enjoys good transport connections from the outset.”
Current works are being delivered by contractors Seymour Whyte along the central section and CPB-Georgiou Group Joint Venture through the western section of the future motorway with more than 2000 people being directly or indirectly employed.
As NSW Roads Minister John Graham explained, “It has also been built to accommodate future freight movements and growing economic zones such as the Aerotropolis and employment zones stretching from Liverpool to Erskine Park and beyond.
“Importantly, the M12 will also take traffic off Elizabeth Drive, giving the road back to the local communities that rely on it for their day to day needs.”
Major construction on the M12 will be complete prior to the opening of the new Western Sydney International Airport in 2026.