The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia's future, investing $25 million to upgrade Wentworth Avenue and reduce congestion on Toongabbie Bridge.
Toongabbie Bridge is a critical connection road for residents of Western Sydney, impacting traffic flow between Parramatta and Seven Hills, as well as access to Westmead Hospital.
It is also one of the few connections across the rail line, and the only local crossing linking to the major arterials, including Seven Hills Road, Prospect Highway and the Cumberland and Great Western Highways.
With a single lane in each direction, the 70+ year old bridge is a known pinch-point which experiences severe congested, especially during peak periods.
Today's investment will focus on easing congestion on the bridge by increasing and improving traffic flow along Wentworth Avenue.
The upgrades are expected to include intersection upgrades and lane widening, and will support increased productivity and improved liveability for residents and motorists of Toongabbie and its surrounds.
With significant population and economic growth predicted within Cumberland, Blacktown and Parramatta Local Government Areas, further pressure on the local transport network surrounding Toongabbie is anticipated.
Recent planning and analysis of traffic around the bridge showed that notwithstanding the constraining nature of the bridge itself, significant congestion was due to intersections on Wentworth Avenue, either side of the bridge.
The final project scope and delivery timeframes will be determined in consultation with the New South Wales Government, Cumberland City Council, Parramatta City Council and Blacktown Council.
This builds on the Australian Government's existing investment of $18 billion for infrastructure projects in Western Sydney.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"We're building Australia's future right here in Western Sydney, currently investing $18 billion into Western Sydney's infrastructure.
"We know how important the Toongabbie fix is to the community here and the knock-on effect it has on the Western Sydney road network.
"We're giving hours back to Toongabbie locals, Westmead workers and everyone in between with this record investment in Toongabbie Bridge."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Parramatta Andrew Charlton:
"This bridge has been a nightmare for forty years. Everyone said they were going to fix it - today we're doing it. I went into bat with our community for Toongabbie; to get this fixed once and for all and Minister King backed us because this government builds and delivers.
"This investment will cut congestion, slash travel times, and make life easier for local residents who rely on this connection every day."
Quotes attributable to State Member for Prospect Hugh McDermott MP:
"I'm really pleased I can work with Andrew Charlton to get this done. Andrew has delivered $25m to get the bridge upgrade finished and done."
Quotes attributable to Parramatta Councillor Sameer Pandey:
"I am delighted the bridge is finally getting done. This is an excellent commitment that will help the community."
Quotes attributable to Cumberland City Council Mayor Ola Hamed:
"This funding will place Council in a strong position to take the design work from concept to reality.
"The Cumberland community has been voicing concerns over the traffic congestion in this area for many years so this funding will be welcome news to so many who have borne the inconvenience of this bottleneck for so long.
"Council is appreciative of the Federal Government's allocation of this money to build the much-needed infrastructure for our community, and we look forward to seeing the project come to life, complementing our planned public domain upgrades to the Toongabbie town centre".
