The state government continues to look at upgrading the A6 arterial road route through the west of Sutherland Shire, instead of building on the long-reserved F6 corridor.
“I’m afraid I can only say at this stage it will go from the south to the north,” Roads Minister Duncan Gay said.
”Within that, they have narrowed the priorities, but beyond that I am not in a position to say until the final business case is completed.”
Mr Gay answered questions from the Leader following the start of major work on the $40 million widening of Alfords Point Road, south of the bridge.
The work, which is expected to take about 18 months to complete, will add a third lane in each direction over 2.1 kilometres between Georges River and Brushwood Drive.
Alfords Point Road is part of the A6 arterial road route, from Heathcote, via the M5 and Bankstown to Carlingford.
In 2014, the government revealed an $11 million study of the F6 extension would consider upgrading the A6 route as an alternative to the it running through the middle of Sutherland Shire and St George.
Mr Gay said the government had received a preliminary business plan following the F6 study, and would release a detailed plan before Christmas this year.
“We have always said we needed to do it in details and make sure we had it right rather than just put glossy brochures out,” he said.
”Work on these other projects, whether its the A6 or the F6 will continue.”
Mr Gay said the Alfords Point Road widening was the first project in the $300 million Gateway to the South “pinch points program”, promised at last year’s election.
He said plans were being prepared for another stage, which would involve the upgrading of Heathcote Road from Lucas Heights to Heathcote.
Mr Gay defended the widening of Alfords Point Road taking place ahead of the Heathcote Road upgrade.
He said, between July 2010 and June 2015, there were 26 crashes on Alfords Point Road, including one fatal crash and 11 involving injuries.
CLEARWAY MOVE
The afternoon clearway on Sundays and public holidays for north-bound traffic on Princes Highway at Heathcote is set to be extended year round.
The change could possibly take effect for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
At present, the clearway operates between 3pm and 7pm from October until the end of April between Jennings Road and Heathcote Roads.
Roads and Maritime Services has sought community feedback on extending the clearway year round.
Heathcote MP Lee Evans said feedback on the proposal was required by next Monday, June 6.
Call 1300 706 232, email clearways@rms.nsw.gov.au or write to Clearways Roads and Maritime Services, PO Box 973 Parramatta 2124.
