M4 Smart Motorway project
Project overview
The NSW Government is investing $600 million to build the M4 Smart Motorway project, which will introduce intelligent technology to the M4 Motorway between Pitt Street, Parramatta and Mulgoa Road, Penrith.

Latest news
Apr 2021 – Gantry installations
The M4 Motorway will be closed for one night from 11pm, Monday 19 April to 4am Tuesday 20 April to install four final gantries. The motorway will be closed between The Northern Road and Mamre Road, with detours in place. See the April 2021 gantry install notification (PDF, 431Kb) for more details.
Dec 2020 – Sydney's first smart motorway given the green light
The state's first smart motorway has been permanently switched on after a trial in which the intelligent technology provided motorists with a smoother and more reliable journey.
View the media release for more information.
Interactive portal
To learn more about this project, view our interactive portal for more information.
Project information
Background
The M4 Motorway is a 50km long motorway that opened in Sydney in the 1960's. It stretches from the suburb of Concord in the inner west to Lapstone in the Blue Mountains.
Over the years, the M4 Motorway has become a popular route which connects a number of different industrial and commercial areas including Homebush, Silverwater, Parramatta and Penrith in the west.
During peak times, the motorway carries anywhere from 3,200 to 7,100 vehicles in either direction. Around 75% of trips completed are private vehicles but motorway usage also includes freight transport and bus services.
Due to increased development and traffic volumes across Western Sydney, the M4 Motorway often operates at capacity resulting in significant congestion.
This traffic congestion was found to reduce safety, increase delays and travel times for drivers while also increasing vehicle emissions.
In 2015, the NSW Government began preparing to implement smart motorway technology which could improve the overall reliability, safety and incident management on the M4 Motorway.
The M4 Smart Motorway (M4SM)
The M4SM project is an upgrade to the motorway along the main section of the M4 Motorway from Parramatta to Penrith. It involves installing new structures and technology which will work together to create a smoother, safer and more consistent travelling experience for motorists.
The M4 Smart Motorway will be the first smart motorway in NSW. Smart Motorways, also known as Managed Motorways, uses complementary technology to monitor traffic conditions, manage congestion and respond to incidents in real time.
Test your knowledge of the new features on the M4 Smart Motorway. Work hard to beat your high score by learning how the new motorway works.
View the M4 Smart Motorway Quiz.
Benefits

A more consistent drive
Traffic conditions are monitored in real time and entry ramps signals, known as ramp meters, manage the number of vehicles coming onto the motorway with a quick change traffic light system during peak times. These tools ensure a smoother, uninterrupted driving experience.

Safer journeys
Crash rates on Smart Motorways are reduced by up to 30%.

Reduced travel times
Traffic keeps moving so overall journey times are reduced.

Current information about traffic conditions
Drivers will be able to see real time information on message boards to help them make informed decisions about their route before and during their trip on the motorway.

Better incident management
If there is a incident variable message signs will indicate the safest speed and which lanes to are usable. These variable signs help improve access for safety crew and emergency vehicles.

Reduced vehicle emissions
When traffic flow is improved and there is less stop-start driving, vehicles have better fuel consumption and produce fewer emissions.
Completion schedule
Construction work in the M4 Motorway was undertaken across three main stages and began in 2017.
The first stage of work was Mamre Road, St Marys to Reservoir Road, Prospect
Key features of Stage 1
Widening the M4 Motorway from three to four lanes in each direction between Roper Road and the M7 Motorway
Building new maintenance bays along the M4 Motorway between Mamre Road and Reservoir Road
Installing new emergency phones which will be connected to the incident management system
Building three new noise walls and extending one existing noise wall
Upgrading three interchanges at Reservoir Road, Wallgrove Road and Roper Road, including the installation of ramp meters and ramp control signs, as well as widening and realigning entry ramps
Upgrading communications and power infrastructure to improve reliability of the corridor and support the rollout of additional electronic messaging, video surveillance cameras, vehicle detection devices and ramp metering
Installing vehicle detection loops and CCTV cameras at each interchange to better manage traffic flow onto and along the motorway.
The second stage was Reservoir Road, Prospect to Pitt Street, Parramatta.
Key features of Stage 2
Installation of maintenance bays, vehicle detection loops, emergency phones and upgrades to power and communications infrastructure
Installation of variable message signs, traffic sensors, CCTV, and speed and lane use signs between Pitt Street and Cumberland Highway
Realignment, extension and widening of ramps at Burnett Street, Coleman Street and Cumberland Highway, and installation of ramp meters and ramp control signs.
The third stage of work was Mulgoa Road, Penrith to Mamre Road, St Marys.
Key features of Stage 3
Installation of maintenance bays, vehicle detection loops, emergency phones and upgrades to power and communications infrastructure
Realignment, extension and widening of ramps at Mamre Road interchange
Installation of ramp meters and ramp control signs at Kent Street and Mamre Road.
As of May 2020, all major construction on the M4 Smart Motorway has been completed. A phased trial of equipment and technology will take place before a full opening in late 2020.
Community information
Cyclists
To assist with the flow of traffic on the motorway, ramp meters have been installed on entry ramps for the M4 Motorway. This installation has meant that traffic flows consistently onto the motorway reducing the gaps for cyclists to cross over.
For the safety of cyclists they should continue to use the alternative route that has been in place since 2017 for travel between Penrith and Parramatta, as their permanent route to the M4. For more information about where this route is located please see the map.
Media releases
- 14 December 2020
Sydney's first smart motorway given the green light.
23 November 2020
All systems go for State's first smart motorway.
Contact us
For further information about this project, please contact:
Phone: 1800 989 929
Email: m4smartmwy@transport.nsw.gov.au