The New South Wales (NSW) and Albanese Labor governments have awarded a concept design contract to engineering company WSP for the A$1bn ($647.3m) upgrade of Fifteenth Avenue in Sydney's south-west, Australia.
This project aims to enhance connectivity to the Western Sydney International Airport precinct.
The proposed scope of the upgrade includes a four-lane carriageway featuring two traffic lanes in each direction, new active transport connections, and new signalised intersections to enhance local safety.
A key aspect of the design is the land reservation for expansion in the future, to accommodate a dedicated bus throughfare aimed at facilitating rapid services connecting Liverpool to the Bradfield City Centre and the new airport.
This proactive measure will prevent new buildings from encroaching on the corridor, correcting the oversight of previous governments that failed to protect the necessary land for the upgrade, according to the state government.
NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said: “We know the local community is experiencing congestion and delays along Fifteenth Avenue and the surrounding roads, with typical average speeds in the peak times around 30km/h.
“Traffic counts in 2023 show around 22,000 vehicles use this section of road every day. That number is projected to almost double to 42,000 vehicles by 2036 especially as Bradfield and Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport develop.”
Transport for NSW is set to initiate discussions with property owners regarding the land required for the upgrade, as well as future expansion.
The Fifteenth Avenue project will be executed in stages. The first stage will be divided into three sections, with the initial duplication occurring between Second Avenue and Cowpasture Road.
Subsequent sections will extend the duplication further, with future stages connecting to the Bradfield City Centre and Aerotropolis precinct, and the implementation of the bus throughfare.
The NSW Government has fast-tracked the design and planning processes, with the aim of issuing construction tenders in 2026 and beginning major construction in 2027.
