Construction on the long-awaited Dunheved Road upgrade is finally a step closer after Penrith City Council called for tenders to deliver the project.
Tenders for the design and construction of the upgrade, which is set to deliver improvements along the 4.2 kilometre corridor between Richmond Road and the Werrington Road/Christie Street roundabout, are open until 11am on July 24 2024.
Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said the call for tenders is an important milestone in the project, as it means construction is now a step closer.
“We know our community will welcome this news, and we share in their excitement. Not only does it mean that construction is on the horizon, so too are safer, more reliable and efficient journeys along Dunheved Road,” Carney said.
“Dunheved Road is a vital link in our local road network, and the planned improvements will not only benefit our residents and regular road users, but also help futureproof the road to cater for our region’s growing traffic demands.”
The upgrade will see the current two-lane undivided road transformed to a median-separated, dual-lane carriageway. Intersection upgrades, including three new sets of traffic lights, are also planned to improve traffic flow and queuing times in busy peak periods.
Pedestrians and cyclists will be supported with a new shared pathway on the southern side of Dunheved Road, while a footpath along the northern side of the road and phased pedestrian-only crossings at key intersections will improve pedestrian safety and connectivity.
The Federal Government is funding the upgrade.
Federal Lindsay MP Melissa McIntosh said she was pleased the next step had arrived, but was frustrated by the timing.
“I received correspondence from the General Manager of Penrith City Council this week regarding Council’s call for tenders on the long awaited Dunheved Road upgrade. This is welcome news for our community,” she said.
“However, the construction date for the project is now beginning 2025, when it was originally scheduled to start 2023.
“Let’s not forget the Albanese Labor Government promised our community if they won the 2022 election, they would fast track construction of Dunheved Road. Two years behind schedule is now a broken promise, which is not surprising.
“In the 2019 election campaign, I worked hard with our community who for too long had to put up with a road that was in desperate need of an upgrade, and secured $127 million from the Coalition for Penrith Council to do the work.
“I have long been advocating to Penrith City Council and the Albanese Labor Government for this project to get moving, and look forward to seeing Council start construction as soon as possible. Our community has already waited too long.”
To lodge tenders visit http://www.vendorpanel.com. The successful contractor is expected to be announced in late 2024. The timing for delivery and staging of construction works will be finalised following the tender process.
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