RESIDENTS from Berkshire Park and Shanes Park breathed a sigh of relief this week, as roadwork started on at the intersection of Richmond Road and St Marys Road.

Minister for Roads Eric Roozendaal was joined onsite on Monday by Londonderry MP Allan Shearan, to announce the start of work on the $5.5 million project to improve traffic flow and road safety at the intersection.

Mr Roozendaal said the project involved widening Richmond Road to two lanes in each direction with dedicated turning lanes and the introduction of traffic lights.

The intersection has historically been a point of contention for surrounding residents and road users, with queues routinely forming along St Marys Road during peak hour traffic.

Berkshire Park-Llandilo-Shane Park Comm-unity Action Group co-vice-president Pauline Borg said the improvements had been a long time coming, but the residents in the area were thrilled to see roadwork commence.

“The community are now believing that yes, they are going ahead,” Mr Borg said. “We’re really pleased.”

Hawkesbury Mayor Bart Bassett was less positive in his assessment of the State Government’s efforts, and said while he was pleased to see work going ahead at the intersection, more work was urgently needed on Richmond Road.

Mr Bassett said the intersection of Richmond Road and Garfield Road West needed immediate attention, as did the intersection at Northern Road. “I’d ask the government to be allocating some funds,” he said.

Mr Bassett said Richmond Road had been placed under increased pressure since the opening of the M7, and ultimately Richmond Road needed to be converted to a dual carriageway, similar to the upgrade on Windsor Road.

“The whole of Richmond Road is a safety issue,” he said. “It’s got quite a high accident history along its full length.”

The Mayor said the State Government needed to act on upgrades now, before roadside land was opened up to development making it difficult to widen the road.

Mr Bassett also questioned the $5.5 million price tag on the new intersection, which originally was to cost about $2 million.

The project is part of the Iemma Government’s $100 million Pinch Point program aimed at upgrading traffic hot spots across NSW, which slow down the broader network.

Mr Shearan said Richmond Road is a 23.5km route linking Blacktown and Richmond, carrying 21,000 vehicles per day.

“Preliminary work was carried out in May to relocate utilities and services, finalise property adjustments and move boundaries and fences in preparation for the major work, which gets underway today and is expected to take 12 months, weather permitting,” he said.

“Once completed, the work will greatly improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians and improve travel times for motorists.

Investigations into the upgrade of the intersection of Richmond Road and Garfield Road West are underway and the RTA is also finalising designs for traffic lights at the intersection of Northern Road and Richmond Road.

A $4.5 million upgrade of the intersection at Richmond Road, Knox Road and Quakers Hill Parkway at Doonside is also underway, and expected to be completed later this year.

Mr Shearan said construction on the Richmond Road pinch point would take place from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, and Saturday from 7am to 1pm, but warned some night work may also be required.

“These projects are vital to improve road safety and congestion,” he said.

“I ask motorists to please be patient whilst the work is underway and to follow all signs around the construction site.”