NO PROGRESS OF THE MISSING LINK ROAD
The Member for Berowra, Philip Ruddock MP said today that he had a response from his correspondence to the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government regarding the link between the F3 Freeway and the M2 Motorway in Sydney.
“After an independent review of the selection process for the F3 to M7 Link carried out in 2007 by the Hon Mahla Pearlman AO, she confirmed the choice of the Purple Option - a tunnel under Pennant Hills Road as the best option.
“Following the Pearlman Review, The Australian Government confirmed its commitment to $150 million for planning activities in the period 2009-10 to 2013-14 for the Type A corridor (the Purple Option),” Mr Ruddock said.
“I am concerned in the correspondence received today that this action is far too slow where we are not looking at any sort of construction work until well after 2014 and in the mean time traffic is becoming more congested,” Philip Ruddock said.
“I also find this advice extremely disappointing as it is the first time Labor has put beyond doubt their view that the major inter and intrastate road connection from Sydney should be in the never-never options.
“The Howard Government had allocated actual funding in their forward Estimates to address the missing link. That amount was for more than $2 BILLION.
“The next stage of work I have been informed will include route refinement including concept designs and an environmental assessment. As well extensive community consultation will be included during the environment assessment process.
“While the Federal Government negotiates project details with individual State Governments, it is the State which attaches priority to each project. I am disappointed and will continue to push for a resolution to the serious problem of congestion on Pennant Hills Road,” the Member said.
History
The recent history of the project is that in May 2004, the recommendation for the ‘Purple Corridor’ option for an eight kilometre tunnel beneath Pennant Hills Road was accepted by the State Government. The choice was confirmed in 2007 by the Pearlman review. As Federal Member for Berowra, and a Minister within the Howard Federal Government I was heavily involved in initiating this process.
In the recent announcements by the federal Government, $150,000 million was committed for approval and planning to get started on connecting the F3 to the Sydney Orbital with further funding to be determined once these processes were completed. This grant is subject to the NSW Government matching the funding with $30 million. At this time there is no indication that the NSW Labor Government will commit the matching funding required.
Unfortunately, the project remains in limbo. The Department lists it as follows under the heading ‘Timetable’ on its website –
‘Key project data is currently being updated. The process for the next stage of work, route refinement and an Environmental Impact Statement is expected to commence in the near future.
Extensive community consultation will be included during the environmental assessment. A detailed investigation into cost estimates, economic analysis, funding and financing options will be considered during the next stage of planning’.