With the State election just days away, the Labor Party has pledged $40M for detailed planning of “the missing link” Stage 4 of the Gosford Bypass, if elected on March 25.
The Gosford Bypass project is a staged road upgrade of the Pacific Hwy extending from the M1 at Ourimbah to-and-including Manns Rd at West Gosford.
It comprises five stages, but the fourth and critical stage of the upgrade has been put on pause by the State Government since 2016, with no work anticipated for another 10 years.
The creation of two lanes in each direction at Manns Rd between Narara Creek Rd at Narara and Parsons Rd at Lisarow will improve traffic flow and safety for all road users.
Member for the Entrance David Mehan has been advocating for the works to continue for some time, including introducing a Notice of Motion to Parliament last year to draw attention to the slow progress.
“The Gosford Bypass is a major transport route for Central Coast residents,” Mehan said.
“This stretch of road has been bumper-to-bumper for far too long and we deserve better.
“With more than 30,000 motorists using this route daily it is imperative for the work to begin.”
Joining Mehan in making the announcement on Wednesday, March 22 was Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch.
“After 12 long years of a Liberal Government we need investment of our seriously under-funded roads,” she said.
“Stage 4 of the Gosford Bypass will cut down travel time for hundreds of Central Coast commuters to-and-from work and to the school gates.”
The MPs said the state of NSW roads, especially in rural and regional areas, was appalling and downright dangerous, with major flooding in recent years ripping up roads and cauing serious potholes across major road networks.
A Labor Government would also deliver a $1.1B package of road capital upgrades over the next three years, bringing new and improved roads across Sydney and regional NSW to ensure better connectivity.
Labor has announced more than $130M of roads upgrades specifically in regional NSW.
Source:
Media release, Mar 22
Central Coast Labor MPs