Coalition F3-M2 Funding Commitment Great News for Bradfield, says Fletcher

‘The Federal Coalition’s funding commitment of $405 million to build the F3-M2 Missing Link is great news for Bradfield,’ Member for Bradfield Paul Fletcher said today.

‘While in principle support was announced earlier this year, the Coalition has now announced a firm funding commitment of $405 million.

‘Other funding sources, to meet the expected total cost of $2.65 billion, will be a NSW state government contribution of $405 million, and funding from the private sector Transurban consortium, to be recovered through tolls.

‘The F3-M2 Missing Link will deliver major benefits. It will greatly reduce heavy vehicle traffic on Pennant Hills Road and the Pacific Highway.

‘For residents along and near to Pennant Hills Road, it will mean a quieter, safer and more pleasant community to live in – and it will make Pennant Hills Road easier and quicker to use for local traffic.’

‘The funding commitment follows lodgement of a proposal by Transurban with the NSW Government last year.

The project proposal has now reached stage 3 of the NSW government's 'unsolicited proposal' process which involves detailed planning and development - including community consultations, exhibition of an environmental impact statement and application for planning approval.

Subject to completing the approvals processes, finalising binding commercial agreements between the Transurban consortium and the NSW Government, and the Transurban consortium selecting a construction partner, it is hoped that construction could commence as early as the end of next year.

‘I want to see the F3-M2 Missing Link built to deliver benefits to the communities I represent – and I want to ensure that as this proposal proceeds, its design addresses the proper and reasonable concerns of nearby residents’, Mr Fletcher said.

Key design principles for the F3-M2 Missing Link have been identified in work done over the last decade. The 2004 Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) study identified air quality, alternative transport options and noise impacts as the areas the community wanted to be scrutinised.

SKM found the project capable of delivering positive benefits in each area, including reduced noise for 94% of residents and air quality improvements.

Mr Fletcher said he will be keen to ensure that community feedback is properly captured and reflected in the design of this project.