F3 link road investigated
An investigation is being made into the possibility of a new road linking the F3 and the M2, which would aid Peninsula car commuters who travel to western Sydney.
Under investigation is the new link as part of a new $1.25 billion Sydney orbital ring road arcing around western Sydney to join the Hume Hwy south of Sydney.
Member for Robertson, Mr Jim Lloyd announced the $1 million investigation earlier this month.
The Federal and NSW Governments will start the investigation soon, Mr Lloyd said.
"The proposed new road has the potential to open up new transport corridors serving the Central Coast as well as relieving congestion at the Sydney end of the F3," Mr Lloyd said.
"The 40km western Sydney orbital will run along a new corridor from Prestons to the M2 at Baulkham Hills, but an extension to the F3 will be examined as part of a major investigation requiring extensive community input."
Mr Lloyd said the study would examine forecast traffic growth in the corridor to 2025, the impact on the environment and its function within the context of regional development strategies.
"Of the commercial vehicles travelling the F3 from Newcastle, Wyong and Gosford to Sydney, about 70 per cent are destined for the western suburbs," Mr Lloyd said.
"The new road would be more convenient for this traffic and for motorists heading south who could save up to 70 minutes on a journey between Baulkham Hills and the Hume Hwy at Prestons.
Traffic on the F3 is increasing at about 10 per cent a year according to Gosford Councils State of the Environment Report.
Carl Spears, January 10