NSW Budget green lights congestion busting Mona Vale Road West upgrade - Scruby delivers on Election Promise: Secures Funding
On Saturday June 21 the Minns NSW and Albanese Australian Governments confirmed they have combined to provide matching funding worth a total of $500 million to kickstart the long-awaited congestion busting Mona Vale Road West project.
The NSW Government stated it is prioritising delivering essential services that people rely on, including key road infrastructure, that will set NSW up for long-term prosperity.
''This is about building a better NSW through better economic management, all without privatisation.''
Mona Vale Road is one of the most critical arterial roads serving the Barrenjoey peninsula area, connecting Pittwater to the Northern Suburbs. It is a long-standing traffic pinch point.
The NSW State Budget commits $250 million for the project, matching an Australian Government commitment of $250 million on 22 March by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King.
See: Scamps-Scruby-Quinn Secure $250m Funding Commitment from Federal Labor for Mona Vale Road West Upgrade - March 2025
Pittwater MP shows NSW Premier unfinished Mona Vale Road West Construction site - November 2024
NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to infrastructure that improves people’s lives in NSW.
“I am delighted to be able to give the green light on this project which will make a real difference to the local community with congestion and safety improvements over 3.4 km of one of the busiest arterial routes on the northern beaches.
“I acknowledge the constructive role played by the local State MP, Jacqui Scruby, and the local Federal MP, Sophie Scamps, in advocating for this project to be brought forward. This is an example of local representatives working together across the aisle for a good community outcome.
“The most important thing this announcement delivers in the certainty for the project to proceed. Transport for NSW will now be able to move ahead with critical planning work along this important corridor that has significant biodiversity, terrain and technical challenges to be addressed.”
Independent MP Jacqui Scruby confirmed that $250 million in funding has been allocated for Mona Vale Road West Upgrade in the 2025/26 NSW Budget.
The $250 million commitment from the NSW Government is in addition to the $250 million in Federal Government funding secured by Mackellar MP Dr Sophie Scamps earlier this year, bringing the total funding for the project to $500 million.
Ms Scruby campaigned on securing funding to finish the road.
“When I make a promise, I don’t stop until I deliver.
“Getting this funding and green light, demonstrates the power of independents, who deliver for their communities. Since being elected I’ve advocated continually for the NSW Government to fund this critical road, and I thank the government for recognising its importance.
“Finishing the upgrade is an issue that unites our community - it’s a safety risk, traffic bottleneck and a major route to the CBD and hospital, as well as a bushfire escape route.
“The last election became a referendum on who could be most effective in getting back the funding for Mona Vale Road. I am grateful the community trusted me to put forward strong advocacy, and I am happy that I’ve been able to secure it in the first Budget since being elected,” Ms Scruby said.
“This is a huge win for Pittwater - achieved by applying consistent, evidence-based pressure on the government. I have relentlessly represented the community’s calls for this road to be finished - from my very first meeting with the Minister for Roads, along with Dr Scamps and Michael Regan NSW MP, to referring to myself as the Member for Mona Vale Road in my inaugural speech and lobbying ever since.”
Ms Scruby said she would now turn her focus to delivery: “This 4-lane road was promised by then Premier and Member for Pittwater Robert Askin in 1966 and I’m determined to make sure it's delivered. I’ll be holding the government to account to make sure this funding turns into real progress on the ground - people want to see action.
“There is a common myth that the MV West Upgrade was ‘shovel ready’ or half built. It’s not. There are approvals and pre-construction work that will take time, but people can trust I’ll continue my lobbying to keep things on track.
“Finishing it is not just about convenience - it’s about safety, resilience and connectivity,” she said.
Planning, design and environmental assessment work is slated to take about 2½ years, allowing construction to start in 2028. The construction will take around two years. A property acquisition process is set to begin early next year, the details of which are yet to be released.
A project notification dated April 2025 advises Transport for NSW will carry out survey and utility investigation work along the Mona Vale Road corridor between McCarrs Creek Road, Terry Hills and Powderworks Road, Ingleside.
Work includes:
- establishing temporary work sites
- locating and verifying existing above ground and underground services
- digging small trenches in the ground
- restoring the work area when our investigations are finished.
The investigation work will be carried out until 1 August 2025 during standard construction hours between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 6pm Saturdays, with some work being undertaken out of hours to maintain the safety of workers and community. Impacted community will be notified before work commences.
The work will take place on:
- Mona Vale Road between McCarrs Creek Road, Terry Hills and Powderworks Road, Ingleside.
- McCarrs Creek Road and Kanangra Avenue, Terry Hills.
- Wirreanda Road, Tumburra Street, Addison Road, Bungendore Street and Harvey Road, Ingleside.
Transport will continue to engage with affected property owners and stakeholders as designs progress.
Federal Member for Mackellar, Dr Sophie Scamps MP, has welcomed the allocation of $250 million in Tuesday’s State Budget for the completion of the Mona Vale Road West upgrade.
“The Member for Pittwater and I have made it our mission to work collaboratively with both the State and Federal Governments to see work restarted on Mona Vale Road West as soon as possible and the upgrade finally completed,” Dr Scamps said on Saturday.
After the State Government deferred the upgrade of Mona Vale Road West following an independent review of infrastructure spending, Dr Scamps began advocating to the Federal Government to establish a matched funding arrangement with the State Government, emphasising the critical importance of Mona Vale Road as a major commuter artery for our region.
Dr Scamps’ successfully secured $250 million in federal funding for the completion of Mona Vale Road West, which was announced in the 2025 Federal Budget earlier this year.
“This matched funding commitment by the State Government is testament to what can be achieved for our community through strong advocacy and collaboration. I thank the NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, NSW Transport Minister John Graham and Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King for working constructively with Jacqui Scruby and myself to secure the joint total funding of $500 million to complete the project,” Dr Scamps said.
“The urgency of completing the upgrade to Mona Vale Road - one of the primary arterial routes facilitating access in and out of Pittwater - cannot be overstated,” Dr Scamps said.
“The improvements are crucial for enhancing road safety, alleviating traffic congestion, and ensuring reliable access, especially in times of bushfire emergencies when quick and safe evacuations are paramount.”
Dr Scamps will continue to work closely with both the Federal and State Governments on the project timeline and delivery.
The project involves upgrading 3.4 kilometres of Mona Vale Road from two lanes to four lanes between McCarrs Creek Road, Terrey Hills and Powder Works Road, Ingleside.
Key features of the Mona Vale Road West upgrade include:
- A new traffic signal intersection with Kimbriki Road, including additional dedicated turning lanes and a truck climbing lane
- Relocating the intersection with Tumburra Street to the west by about 40 metres and changing access to left turn in and left turn out only
- Closing the existing intersection with Addison Road to general traffic and restricting access to emergency vehicles only
- Constructing a new local road connection between Bungendore Street and Powder Works Road, using the existing Harvey Road corridor, and extending the new local road east of Addison Road to meet the intersection of Mona Vale Road and Powder Works Road
- Removing bus stops near Tumburra Street and re-directing bus services along the new local road connection and Tumburra Street to serve existing and future land uses
- Other features to encourage pedestrians and cyclists include a shared use path on the northern side of Mona Vale Road between McCarrs Creek Road and Addison Road and upgraded street lighting and landscaping for the full length of the project.
- To protect local wildlife, there will be a 40-metre fauna bridge over Mona Vale Road and two fauna underpasses.
