The toll-free M12 Motorway has passed a major construction milestone with 14 kilometres of the road now complete, on time and on budget and ready to provide direct access to Western Sydney Airport once open in 2026.
The road is now being landscaped, sign posted and having safety infrastructure installed. Once opened, it will link the new Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek to the wider Sydney motorway network, Elizabeth Drive and The Northern Road.
This last section connecting into the M7 Motorway and still in construction will add around 2 kilometres to the project.
Significantly, this marks the first time the public could technically drive the full length between The Northern Road and works near the Elizabeth Drive off ramp at Cecil Park. This will leave just connecting and finishing works to complete before the entire 16-kilometre road is opened to the public in 2026.
The $2.1 billion project, one of the largest transport projects in NSW, has seen:
- around 117,000 cubic metres mainline road concrete used
- 8,223 people employed from which 5,472 local people were employed
- 2,320 bridge lineal metres
- 3,085,587 cubic metres of completed earthworks
- 461 bridge piles installed
- 637 bridge girders installed
- 867,509 trees, shrubs and grasses planted.
The central and western sections of the M12 Motorway have been completed by Transport for NSW construction partners Seymour Whyte and CPB Georgiou Group JV.
Meanwhile work to link the M12 to the M7 is progressing rapidly, with a new alignment of Wallgrove Road at Cecil Hills recently opening to motorists. This is necessary work to create room for the interchange ramps, with bridgework continuing as the M7 upgrade progresses.
The M12 forms part of a wider Western Sydney roads upgrade as the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments get on with the job of delivering Western Sydney road upgrades.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said:
"We're building Australia's future by delivering the road and rail connections this new Airport needs to connect it to Western Sydney and beyond.
"With freight services due to start at the airport next year, this new road will ensure trucks can move quickly and easily from the Airport to sites like the new Moorebank intermodal terminal and the rest of the Sydney road network."
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:
"The M12 Motorway will be a game-changer for Western Sydney residents - a vital, toll-free link that will ease congestion, improve travel times, and connect our local community without adding to household costs.
"After years of the former government locking Western Sydney motorists into costly toll roads, this project proves that the Minns Labor Government is committed to building better roads and delivering world-class infrastructure for local families."
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
"We are a Government serious about targeted investment which will help drive employment and provide improved infrastructure for motorists.
"Just three years ago, around us were just fields. In that time a new airport has emerged from the cow paddocks, a new motorway nearing completion, works on The Northern Road have been undertaken, a new city of Bradfield is beginning to rise, a Metro is connecting the region and other important upgrades are all underway.
"Driving the M12 today gives the sense of scale as to the works being undertaken."
NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said:
"Once opened next year, this road is expected to carry up to 30,000 vehicles a day.
"These are vehicles we are taking off local roads by providing a quality free alternative.
"And while this is happening, we are getting on with the job of strengthening local roads around the precinct. That includes Mamre Road, Mulgoa Road and for the first time $800 million towards fixing Elizabeth Drive and $1 billion on Fifteenth Avenue."
Member for Werriwa, Anne Stanley said:
"This is one of a number of new vital new road connections that the State and Federal Governments are delivering to ensure Western Sydney's new airport is easily accessible.
"The M12 will provide a toll-free east to west connection from the M7 to the new Airport, and our investments in Elizabeth Drive and Fifteenth Avenue will ensure people from other parts of Western Sydney can easily access their new airport as well."
Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:
"I welcome this major milestone in connecting all of us to the new Western Sydney Airport, along with upgrades to Fifteenth Avenue, Elizabeth Drive and other key roads.
"This is all part of ensuring communities like Leppington have easier access to the jobs and opportunities the new airport will bring. These investments ensure everyday travel is easier and we're building a stronger, more connected Western Sydney."
