Cowpasture Road upgrade

The RTA is continuing to upgrade Cowpasture Road from a two-lane road to a four-lane divided road with new traffic signals at key intersections.

Cowpasture Road works completed

• Upgraded to 4 lanes between The Horsley Drive and Elizabeth Drive
• Upgraded to 4 lanes between Elizabeth Drive and North Liverpool Road
• Upgraded to 4 lanes between Hoxton Park Road and Main Street
• Upgrading the intersection of Cowpasture Road and Mannow Avenue/Tibooburra Road
• Upgraded to 4 lanes between Main Street and Camden Valley Way
• Shared pedestrian and cyclist paths adjacent to the upgraded four lane sections of Cowpasture Road
• An interchange providing access to and from Cowpasture Road and the M7

Background

Cowpasture Road links The Horsley Drive at Wetherill Park with Camden Valley Way at Leppington. It links new residential areas and employment zones, and provides a regional freight link between Prestons, Wetherill Park and Smithfield industrial estates.

Cowpasture Road also forms an important link to the Westlink M7 with an interchange near Hoxton Park Road. The upgrade will provide improved access for local motorists as well as a safer road environment for all road users.

Cyclists and pedestrians will benefit from new pedestrian and cycle paths with connections to local bicycle networks through the regional park, including the 39km cycleway constructed along the Westlink M7.

Cowpasture Road works planned or in progress

• Twin bridges are being constructed over Hinchinbrook Creek. These should minimise flooding impacts. Work commenced in January 2009 and is scheduled for completion in December 2010.
• New traffic signals will be constructed at the intersection of Cowpasture and Green Valley Roads. Work is scheduled for completion by December 2010.
• The upgrade to 4 lanes between North Liverpool Road and the M7 commenced in January 2009 and is scheduled for completion in December 2010.

Benefits of the project

Upgrading Cowpasture Road has benefited both the local community and through traffic by:

• Increasing road capacity to reduce travel time and traffic congestion.
• Improving safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
• Providing new shared pedestrian and cyclist paths linking to the M7 cycle path.
• Improving protection against flooding in the Hinchinbrook Creek area.

Approach to construction

The design of the upgrade aims to minimise impacts on the existing landscape and also provide safe and sustainable outcomes. This is achieved by:

• Tree planting and landscaping to minimise visual impacts.
• Traffic noise reduction measures where appropriate.
• New shared footpaths and cycleways linking communities and shops.