Key features and benefits

The M7 Motorway Project has been carefully planned and designed to bring significant benefits to a diverse range of people including road users, pedestrians and members of local communities. This page outlines some of the key features and benefits of the project.

Key features

Pedestrian and cycle path

There is now a 40 kilometre pedestrian and cycle path between Prestons and West Baulkham Hills. This is Australia’s longest pedestrian and cycle path, and provides a safe, healthy and environmentally beneficial option for cyclists and pedestrians. It is separated from traffic and includes safe crossings at all intersections, making it  suitable for all cyclists including children.

New parklands

The RTA has constructed a new park in Abbotsbury at the head of the 40 kilometre M7 pedestrian and cycle path. The Plough and Harrow Precinct is built on former grazing land and contains a mix of open and treed spaces. It incorporates environmental initiatives including water re-use and bushland regeneration with a variety of visitor amenities such as picnic shelters, two large pavilions and a regional playground.

Light Horse Interchange memorial

A 55 metre illuminated mast at the  M4/M7 Light Horse Interchange at Eastern Creek honours members of Australia's famous Light Horse Infantry.  Two thousand commemorative red batons 'sprout' from native grasses on the median strips of both the M4 and M7 Motorway interchange approaches, signifying the predominant regimental colours of red and green and helping approaching motorists to easily identify the Light Horse Interchange. 

Key benefits

Improved road travel

Road users benefit from the following:

• Quicker travel times across western Sydney.
• Bypasses 48 sets of traffic lights, cutting travel times in half between Liverpool and West Pennant Hills.
• Provides a direct link to the Sydney Orbital network.
• Seventeen interchanges.
• Two additional lanes on Bernera Road at Prestons for 260 metres south of the off-ramp.
• Two additional lanes on Jedda Road at Prestons for 450 metres near the Westlink M7 interchange.
• Two additional lanes on Richmond Road at Marsden Park for approximately 600 metres between the Westlink M7 and Bells Creek.

Travel-time savings

Commuters enjoy substantial cuts in time spent traveling from home to work during morning peak period:

• Crossroads (Liverpool) to West Pennant Hills – 63 minutes.
• Crossroads to Wentworthville – 30 minutes.
• Crossroads to Eastern Creek – 14 minutes.

Improved local traffic facilities

Local residents benefit from the following:

• Preservation of local access for motorists through the provision of 38 overpasses and underpasses. 
• Local road upgrades, including Cowpasture Road, Elizabeth Drive, The Horsley Drive, Richmond Road, Sunnyholt Road, Camden Valley Way, Bernera Road, Jedda Road and Joadja Road.

Dedicated bus lanes

The M7 Motorway has inbuilt opportunities to improve or extend existing or future bus services. This has been achieved by the inclusion of a public transport corridor within the wide median.

Improved pedestrian and cyclist safety

Pedestrians and cyclists can take advantage of the following:

• A 40 kilometre off-road pedestrian and cycle path between Prestons and West Baulkham Hills.
• The maintenance of local access for pedestrians and cyclists through the provision of 38 overpasses and underpasses.
• Additional pedestrian and cycle crossings along the M7 Motorway at Florence Street, Oakhurst, Simms Road and Ainsley Avenue at Glendenning; and Redmayne Road at Horsley Park.