Construction has officially begun on Erskine Park Link Road with NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell, turning the first sod at the construction site on Old Wallgrove Road, Blacktown on Tuesday morning.
The road will form a major artery linking Erskine Business Park to the M7 and M4 motorways.
“This marks the start of major works on a project that will mean thousands of new jobs in western Sydney,” Mr O’Farrell said.
The area enclosed by the Link Road will form the Western Sydney Employment Area.
“The Western Sydney Employment Area will accommodate 40,000 jobs for the region – construction of the Erskine Park Link Road is the key to making it a reality,” he said.
“It’s also great news for residents as when completed, the link road will reduce traffic on local roads by redirecting trucks from residential streets to the M7 and M4 motorways.”
The road is expected to be finished by 2013 and will include the construction of an 80 metre dual bridge across Ropes Creek as well as three large intersections to service the employment area, major earthwork, drainage and road surfacing work.
Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres, Mulgoa MP, Tanya Davies, and Smithfield MP, Andrew Rohan, joined the Premier on Tuesday.
The start of construction works for the Erskine Park Link Road was music to the ears of the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, who have campaigned hard for the project.
Chamber President, Peter McGhee, said the start of the work represented a fulfilled promise by the Coalition.
“We continue to be impressed with the State Government’s work of getting on and delivering on the promises which helped see them elected earlier this year,” he said.
“For years this critical piece of infrastructure was promised by various Labor governments but never actually progressed.
“Today is a huge step forward in opening up enormous land tracts for investment and employment in Western Sydney."
CEO, Jill Woods, agreed that the commencement of the project was great news for the area.
“This government has actually seriously listened and closely while in opposition, to the business operators in this region, and what they desperately needed to help them substantially grow,” she said.
“In government they are now delivering on their promises. Progress today is very reassuring and we see leadership through responsible, tangible action.”
The Chamber has remained a key lobbyist in conjunction with Penrith City Council and the Penrith Business Alliance.
The Premier has personally invited the Chamber CEO, Ms Woods, to be involved at every stage of the vital project.
Since the Chamber‘s commitment to ensure delivery of this road for business operators and members in Erskine Park more than three years ago, Ms Woods has been an avid campaigner.
