Picton Road and M31 Hume Motorway - Picton Road upgrade

Reviewed

Project overview

Transport for NSW is planning to upgrade Picton Road between the Nepean River and the M1 Princes Motorway, including the interchanges at the M31 Hume Motorway and the M1 Princes Motorway. The upgrade has been divided into three project areas, western, central and eastern.

The western section of the Picton Road upgrade is between the Nepean River and Almond Street in Wilton including the M31 Hume Motorway interchange.  

The section involves: 

  • Widening and upgrading approximately 5 kilometres of Picton Road between the Nepean River and Almond Street in Wilton.
  • Upgrading the existing Picton Road and M31 Hume Motorway interchange into a diverging diamond layout. 

Latest News

March 2024 – Public display period closed for the Review of Environmental Factors for the western section of the Picton Road upgrade

The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the western section of the Picton Road upgrade, between the Nepean River and Almond Street, Wilton was on public display for feedback from Thursday 1 February to Thursday 14 March 2024.

Transport will collate and consider the submissions received during the public display of the REF and prepare a submissions report responding to feedback. 

We will inform the community when the submissions report is publicly available.

Overview animation of the western section of the Picton Road upgrade

Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) animation

Community information

Community notifications

Reports

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

  • What are the key features of the western section (the proposal)? 
    The proposal forms the western section of the broader Picton Road upgrade. 

    Key features of the proposal include: 

    • widening and upgrading about five kilometres of Picton Road between the Nepean River and Almond Street in Wilton 

    • upgrading the existing Picton Road and M31 Hume Motorway interchange into a diverging diamond layout 

    • new and upgraded shared paths on Picton Road 

    • reconfiguring the existing Picton Road intersections with Wilton Park Road, Aerodrome Drive, Janderra Lane and Almond Street 

    • integration with new traffic signals and widening roadworks constructed in 2023 at the intersection of Picton Road and Pembroke Parade and Greenway Parade 

      adjusting the posted speed from the western extent of the proposal, through the interchange and to the east of Pembroke Parade to 60 km/h 

  • What will the upgraded intersection with the M31 Hume Motorway look like? 
    The design of the interchange at Picton Road and the M31 Hume Motorway is a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). This design was chosen because it provided the least impact to the surrounding area while improving safety, reliability and efficient travel when compared to other options. 
  • What is a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) and what are the benefits? 
    This unique design provides additional lanes for traffic to cross the interchange under the safety of traffic signals which allows for free flowing turns when exiting and entering Picton Road. Right turns from Picton Road onto the M31 Hume Motorway will only pass through one set of traffic signals. 

    The traffic signals have simplified traffic light phasing which would provide increased green time and improved traffic efficiency when compared to the existing arrangement. 

    The DDI includes a four-metre-wide active transport path on the southern side of Picton Road which is fully separated from vehicles with an underpass of the south bound on ramps and an overpass of the north bound off ramps. 

    While the layout of the DDI is new to NSW drivers, it would be easy and safe to navigate. 

  • Why is the DDI the preferred option for the interchange?
    In response to feedback, we have developed a DDI as the preferred option for the interchange at Picton Road and the M31 Hume Motorway because it provided the least impact to the surrounding area while improving safety, reliability and efficient travel when compared to other options.

  • What other options were considered?
    A technical assessment of the design, standards, and specifications of DDIs across Australia and around the world was carried out as part of the selection and design development process.

    We assessed 13 different options for the interchange. Options included double roundabouts, grade separated roundabouts, a four-way signalised intersection with and without a bridge, grade separated ramps, loop interchanges and continuous interchanges with loops. We identified an intersection with traffic lights, configured as a DDI, was the best outcome when compared with other options.

  • When is construction expected to start?
    Timing and funding for construction of the interchange are yet to be confirmed.

  • What is a Review of Environmental Factors? 
    Transport prepared a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the western section. The REF assesses the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of the proposal and recommends measures to reduce these impacts. 

    The REF includes comprehensive assessments on the existing environment and potential impacts of the proposal on areas including traffic and transport, biodiversity, heritage and noise and vibration as well as any cumulative impacts of other existing or known likely future projects (government or private). 

    The REF proposes mitigation measures to minimise impacts that could potentially arise as a result of the construction and operation of the proposal. If the proposal proceeds, these measures would be incorporated into the detailed design and applied during the construction and operation of the proposal. The REF was on public display from 1 February to 14 March 2024.​​​​​

    Transport will collate and consider the submissions received during the public display of the REF and prepare a submissions report responding to feedback. We inform the community when the submissions report is publicly available.

Review of Environmental Factors - Western

Contact us

For further information about this project, please contact:

Phone: 1800 290 613

Email: pictonroad@transport.nsw.gov.au

Mail: Picton Road upgrade, PO Box 477, Wollongong NSW 2520