Australian Federal Government to award $2 billion to highway upgrade

CANBERRA, ACT, Australia - Topping the list for infrastructure funding by the Australian Federal Government announced on Monday is a contribution of more than $2 billion towards the Great Western Highway between Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains, and Lithgow in the Central West.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison released the list, which outlines the various projects to receive funding in the 2021-22 Budget, on Monday.

"From upgrading the Great Western and Princes highways, to improving the key road connections in the outer suburbs and regional areas - these projects will support more than 6,500 direct and indirect jobs across New South Wales," Prime Minister Morrison said Monday.

"Our record funding commitment is creating jobs, boosting business investment, while securing Australia's COVID recovery."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said this additional investment demonstrated the government's commitment to nation-defining infrastructure right here in New South Wales.

"Whether it's the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport, or the transformative Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail, we are investing to build Australia's future," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

"Our more than $2 billion investment in upgrading Great Western Highway will bring enormous benefits, both in road safety and in the ongoing jobs that construction will support."

"The government is driving the delivery of major infrastructure projects to map the economic road back from the pandemic, building the economy and providing certainty for businesses over the long term," McCormack said.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the Australian government will continue to invest in the NSW economy in the coming years through investments in key urban pinch points. "This is complemented by targeted road investments along key commuter corridors, including $240 million for the Mount Ousley Interchange near Wollongong and an additional $18 million for Appin Road upgrades," Fletcher said.

The full list of infrastructure projects to receive funds in the Budget, as outlined by the prime minister's office on Monday, is as follows:

• $2.03 billion for the Great Western Highway Upgrade Katoomba to Lithgow Construction of East and West Sections
• $400 million for the Princes Highway Corridor - Jervis Bay Road to Sussex Inlet Road Stage 1
• $240 million for the Mount Ousley Interchange
• $100 million for the Princes Highway Corridor Jervis Bay Road Intersection
• $87.5 million for M5 Motorway Moorebank Avenue-Hume Highway Intersection Upgrade
• $52.8 million for Manns Road Intersection Upgrades at Narara Creek Road and Stockyard Place; and
• $48 million for Pacific Highway Harrington Road Intersection Upgrade, Coopernook.