The Hon Catherine King MP
The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments have completed the $188 million jointly funded upgrade of Heathcote Road in Holsworthy, with the official opening marked today by the local community.
The official opening featured a charity walk for cancer in honour of the late Labor Member for Menai Alison Megarrity MP, who represented the area at state and local levels, and the dedication of a new road bridge in her name.
The congestion-easing 2.2-kilometre upgrade along Heathcote Road between Voyager Point and Holsworthy has widened the road from a single lane each way to dual lane carriageway.
Carrying around 36,000 vehicles each day, this upgraded section is expected to significantly reduce travel times in peak hours for general vehicles by several minutes.
The upgrade saw two bridges being built across local waterways – Williams and Harris Creeks – designed to withstand a 1 in 100-year flood event and a bridge constructed across the T8 railway.
The Harris Creek crossing has been named the Alison Megarrity Bridge. Alison Megarrity was the State Labor Member for Menai between 1999 and 2011 and was a strong advocate for this section of road to be upgraded. Well respected across all sides of politics, tragically, she lost a prolonged battle with cancer in 2022. Her husband, Robert, attended the dedication as a special guest.
The community cancer walk along the footpath of this new upgraded road was in support of the work of the Cancer Council of NSW.
The improvements to Heathcote Road also include a new intersection to improve access to Voyager Point and a major upgrade of the intersection at MacArthur Drive including new turning lanes and traffic lights access station facilities at Holsworthy. More than 200 workers were employed on this project.
To herald in the new road a smoking ceremony was performed, artworks were unveiled along the road depicting flora and fauna native to the area and there was a commemoration of WWI POWs who built a railway connection through to Liverpool.
Further information about the upgrade can be found at Heathcote Road Upgrade.
Donations to the Cancer Council can be made via the Heathcote Road Bridge Walk for Cancer link.
Quotes attributable to Robert Megarrity, husband of former Member for Menai Alison Megarrity:
“Alison always said it was a privilege and honour to represent her community in the NSW Parliament, which she did with energy and enthusiasm from 1999 to 2011.
“With our sons, Liam and Glyn, I congratulate everyone involved in completing Alison’s dream, a new Harris Creek Bridge. We are extremely proud it is named in Alison’s memory, recognizing her years of dedicated public service.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“It’s an exciting day for Sydney drivers, who will be relieved that this traffic pinch-point is now fixed.
"The Albanese Government’s $94 million investment means welcome safety improvements and will improve traffic flow.
“Alison Megarrity championed this project for her community, and ensured this project was at the top of the State and Federal Government’s agenda. It is fitting to see her work honoured today.
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison:
“The opening of this section of road is a celebration on many levels. As well as relieving a well-known pinch point by upgrading it to a 2-lane dual carriageway, it is also a celebration of the life of Alison Megarrity.
“Alison championed getting this section of Heathcote Road a much-needed upgraded, and made sure it was on the radar of both State and Federal Government.
“We remember her today as a respected, much missed colleague and local leader thoroughly committed to community service.
“This road isn’t the end of our investment in south-west Sydney, with the NSW Government also investing $180 million on widening Heathcote Road near Lucas Heights. Community consultation is ongoing, with construction expected to commence late next year.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Hughes David Moncrieff:
"Our community has been calling out for this game-changing upgrade for decades and it is exciting that it has now come to fruition.
"The dedication of the Harris Creek Bridge to Alison Megarrity is a fitting tribute to her legacy of fighting for this community and her commitment to ensuring that we saw the infrastructure investment that we needed.”
Quote attributable to State Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda:
“It’s been a long journey, but South West Sydney now has this upgraded section of road to show for it—a lasting tribute to Alison’s legacy and her dedication to our community.”
Quote attributable to State Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty:
“The project will make travel safer and easier for South Western Sydney residents and beyond.”
Quote attributable to State Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart:
“It has taken a Federal Albanese Labor government and the NSW Minns Labor Government to deliver this project.”
Quote attributable to State Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong:
“It’s wonderful to see a community cancer walk marking the opening of this vital road infrastructure and honouring the memory of the late Alison Megarrity – a champion for south-west Sydney.”
Quote attributable to Duty MLC for Holsworthy Cameron Murphy:
“The upgrade of Heathcote Road has long been needed for road safety, to improve traffic flow in the local area, and provide better access to transport links and services for the community.”