Lights on at Smithfield and Richards Roads

Published on 09 April 2020

The upgrade of Smithfield Road has reached two significant milestones with the traffic signals at Richards Road now switched on.

The road widening between Dunstan and Berry streets at Fairfield West has also been completed.

The realigned and signalised Richards Road intersection is now open, allowing safer access for motorists turning onto Smithfield Road and accessing Fairfield Showground.

When completed, this $16.4 million project, funded by the Australian Government, will deliver four lanes of traffic on Smithfield Road between Elizabeth Road and Polding Street.

Senator for New South Wales Concetta Fierravanti-Wells said work was continuing to widen Smithfield Road at Elizabeth Drive, separating the shared left- and right-turn lane into separate lanes onto Elizabeth Drive from Smithfield Road.

"Widening works are also taking place near Scotchey Street, including the removal of the lane divider and pedestrian refuge, and the removal of pedestrian refuges at both ends of Fitzgerald Avenue with road widening south of Edensor Road," Ms Fierravanti-Wells said.

"It costs local businesses money in lost productivity when workers and deliveries are stuck in traffic, and it costs the environment with the noise and pollution that traffic jams cause."

Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone said the Smithfield and Richards Roads intersection upgrade provided increased safety and capacity to make right turns onto a high volume road.

"Residents would regularly tell me how difficult it was to turn right from Richards Road or from Fairfield Showground onto Smithfield Road, and I am pleased that this is now a thing of the past. Council is investing heavily in transforming Fairfield Showground, and improving access to this important facility is key to its success," Mayor Carbone said.

"The upgrades to Smithfield Road will have a noticeable impact on the flow of traffic around and through the City. Smithfield Road has been a heavy traffic road for a long time."

"This project will give valuable time back to our families and businesses and will make Fairfield City an even better place to live, work and raise a family."

The Smithfield Road Upgrade is fully funded by the Australian Government through the Local Roads Program under the Western Infrastructure Plan.