A safer, more inviting and connected Great River Walk experience is now a step closer with construction of the new pedestrian pathway on Nepean Avenue now underway.
The project, which is funded by Penrith City Council and the NSW Government, aims to address pedestrian safety issues on the road and provide the long-awaited missing link to the popular bridge-to-bridge loop of Penrith's Great River Walk.
Council's General Manager Andrew Moore said the project has been more than ten years in the making, having first being raised as a priority for the community during the development of the Our River Masterplan in 2013.
"After many years of planning, investigating and consulting to achieve the best possible outcome for residents and the wider community, it's exciting to see this project get underway," Mr Moore said.
"When complete, there will be connected pathways around the Great River Walk loop and our shared vision for a walkable Nepean River Precinct, with improved access and safe passage on Nepean Avenue, will be realised."
The new pathway will be built on the western side of Nepean Avenue, between Memorial Avenue and Tench Reserve. The path will feature bollards and a stamped concrete buffer to create a visual and physical separation between pedestrians and traffic.
The project will also deliver effective design treatments along Nepean Avenue, including traffic calming bands, to create a safer, calmer traffic environment which supports cyclists on the road and encourages active transport.
Construction will be delivered in stages, starting at the southern end of Nepean Avenue (near Tench Reserve). The street will mostly remain open to two-way traffic and pedestrians during construction, with temporary diversions in place as required.
Construction is expected to be complete in late 2024 (weather dependant). For more information visit yoursaypenrith.com.au/Nepean avenue.
This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Penrith City Council. Council secured a $1.25 million grant under the Metropolitan Greenspace Program, and a further $2.5 million is allocated from Council's District Open Space Contributions Plan.
Image caption: Construction of Nepean Avenue pathway.
