MEDIA RELEASE The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government 27 February 2009 AA064/2009 Joint Joint media release issued by Chris Hayes, Federal Member for Werriwa and Michael Daley, NSW Minister for Roads.

UPGRADE TO F5 FREEWAY MOVES INTO TOP GEAR Minister for Roads, Michael Daley, and Federal Member for Werriwa, Chris Hayes, today announced construction work has started on the final stage of the F5 Freeway upgrade near Campbelltown. Mr Daley said the $140 million project is expected to create 130 full-time jobs and approximately 70 part-time jobs. "This upgrade will create jobs and provide a less-congested and safer F5 Freeway for the residents of South Western Sydney. "In the current global financial crisis, infrastructure projects like this will not only help reduce congestion and improve road safety, they will also help build productivity in our economy. "The work is designed to ease congestion for the 81,000 vehicles a day that use the road, which during peak times can slow to an average speed of 52 kilometres per hour," he said. Improvements to the freeway will include: Widening from two lanes to four lanes in each direction between Brooks Road at Ingleburn and Raby Road at St Andrews (5.8 kilometres); Widening from two lanes to three lanes in each direction between Raby Road and Narellan Road (5.2 kilometres); and A new pedestrian bridge across the freeway at Claymore/Woodbine to improve safety for local residents. Federal Member for Werriwa, Chris Hayes, said the work will be carried out in sections and progressively opened to traffic, with overall completion expected in late 2011. "The F5 Freeway is the key route into the Sydney Orbital from Sydney's South West and provides links for commuters from the Southern Highlands and south-western Sydney into the Sydney Airport, the Sydney central business district, northern Sydney and Newcastle," he said. "The project is another example of Federal and State Governments working together to improve local infrastructure for hard working families. "It's part of the Rudd Government's $26.46 billion Nation Building Program, with a Federal Government contribution of $112 million and NSW Government contribution of $28 million," he said. The Member for Campbelltown, Graham West, the Member for Wollondilly, Phil Costa, the Member for Camden, Geoff Corrigan, and the Member for Macquarie Fields, Andrew McDonald, all welcomed the start-of-work. "This is great news for local residents and visitors who can now look forward to quicker, safer travel along the F5, as well as more local jobs," Mr West said. Mr Costa said the work was another example of the Rees Government's commitment to providing better roads for all road users across the State. "And this commitment is particularly important for the fast-growing population in the Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly areas," Mr Costa said. Mr Corrigan said it was great to work hand-in-hand with Labor colleagues in Canberra. "This jointly funded initiative will help make life even better for south-western Sydney families," Mr Corrigan said. Media Contacts Gail Knox ( Mr Daley's Office ) 0407 414 424 Melanie Atlee ( Mr Hayes Office ) 0418 971 886   URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2009/February/AA064_2009.htm