KING Georges Road has been listed as the road with the second-worst economic toll in the country, according to the first national audit of Australia’s infrastructure.
In a landmark inquiry into the country’s transport, water, energy and telecommunications systems, the federal government’s top infrastructure adviser has warned massive investment is needed to avoid a congestion crunch in the nation’s biggest cities.
The audit by Infrastructure Australia spotlights transport networks as needing serious attention to cope with a national population that will grow from 22.3 million in 2011 to 30.5 million in 2031.
Sydney motorists confront seven of the eight worst roads in Australia.
Pennant Hills Road between Parramatta and Hornsby emerges as the road with the worst economic toll in the country, measured according to the cost of delays caused by congestion on each road lane.
The second-costliest corridor, measured by delays to motorists per lane, is King Georges Road from the Princes Highway in southern Sydney to the M4 in the west.
The report put the cost of congestion on all urban roads in Australia at $13.7 billion in 2011.
‘‘Major reforms are needed to improve the way we finance and operate infrastructure to ensure it can underpin gains in Australia’s productivity and employment growth in decades ahead,’’ Infrastructure Australia chairman Mark Birrell said.
‘‘It is time for the nation to treat population growth as a fact, a fact our nation should accept and gear up for.’’
Warringah Road is the third-costliest in the country, while the A3 corridor, which runs from Homebush to Mona Vale on roads including Lane Cove Road and Ryde Road, is the fourth-worst.
Victoria and Parramatta roads between Ashfield and Strathfield are also in the top eight.
The report warns congestion threatens economic growth and living standards and could cost Australia $53 billion by 2031 as demand for roads grows strongly and demand for public transport almost doubles.
In response it recommends governments immediately consider serious reform like use of tolls and other pricing, better planning and introducing more transparency in the selection of projects.
Sydney’s slowest seven:
Pennant Hills Road
King Georges Road
Warringah Road
A3, Homebush to Mona Vale
A6, Parramatta to Ryde
Victoria Road
Parramatta Road between Ashfield and Strathfield
Do you agree with the list? Add your 'worst roads' via the comment link below.
