Penrith Council has scrapped a plan to upgrade six roundabouts along Coreen Avenue, and will now only upgrade four due to budget constraints.
The project initially involved the upgrade of six intersections and an ancillary roundabout under approved funding of $13,401,147 from the Federal Government.
“The intersections upgrade project is focused on improving traffic safety and efficiency now and into the future,” a Council report said.
Last year, Penrith Council was briefed about the project and the challenges of delivering the full project due to budget issues.
A report was presented in March of this year where Councillors were briefed about recent changes in overall project scope, budget and current project status.
At last week’s Penrith City Council Ordinary Meeting, Councillors unanimously approved the reduction of the scope of the project to fit within the budget.
Since the funding was first approved the project cost has “significantly increased” due to various market factors and design revisions to address community feedback and expectations received.
“The scope of the project has been reduced to deliver four priority intersections (Coreen Avenue/Coombes Drive East and West, Coreen Avenue/Combewood Road and Coreen Avenue/Lemongrove Road) and ancillary roundabout at Hickeys Road; with a revised approved funding of $13,162,844,” the Council report said.
The two intersections removed from the initial project will await further funding before completion.
“Draft designs for the two remaining intersections which are being deferred (Coreen Avenue and Sydney Smith Drive, Coreen Avenue and Bel Air Road) have been prepared but will not progress to finalisation until a future funding opportunity becomes available,” the Council report said.
“Civil and utility relocation designs for the priority intersections along Coreen Avenue, namely Coombes Drive (west and east), Combewood, and Lemongrove Road, are currently in progress and expected to be finalised by the end of June 2025.”
Construction on the project is expected to start in early 2026 with construction expected to be completed in mid-2027.
Locals will be advised of traffic disruptions ahead of time.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.