Work on the Leonay Parade intersection with the M4 Motorway is set to begin in the next few weeks after approval for the upgrade was granted by the State Government.
The NSW Government is upgrading the interchange of Russell Street, Leonay Parade and the M4 Western Motorway westbound to reduce congestion and improve safety as part of the $246 million NSW Government Pinch Point program.
The upgrade includes installing traffic lights at the southbound approach to the roundabout on Russell Street from Emu Plains as well as a queue detector on the M4 off ramp to activate the traffic lights to stop southbound vehicles on Russell Street and allow a free flow of vehicles from the M4 off ramp through the roundabout.
A new left turn lane about 90 metres long on the approach to the roundabout from the M4 westbound off ramp will further reduce queuing and provide more turning area for heavy vehicles entering Russell Street.
The works will cost approximately $2 million. Penrith MP, Stuart Ayres said that community feedback was invited in August 2013 and summarised in an issues report published in December.
“The NSW Government’s Pinch Point program is allowing us to tackle a well-known traffic bottle-neck, which should have been dealt with by the previous Labor Government,” he said.
“The changes will improve the flow of traffic off the M4 into Emu Plains and Leonay and provide a safer intersection.”
Some residents raised concerns that the metered traffic lights will cause delays on the surrounding road network including extra delays for vehicles southbound at Russell Street. The Roads and Maritime Services said that the delays would be “minor”.
Other residents suggested widening the overpass but that option was deemed too expensive and that it would take too long to complete.
