GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY
Metroad 4 section: Parramatta Rd (Ashfield to Concord)
Metroad 4 uses the Great Western Highway for a short but congested 4km section between Ashfield and Concord. This section of Parramatta Rd is littered with car yards and other commercial development, along with schools and the Burwood Bus Depot, proving to be a major bottleneck evem in off-peak times. The Western Motorway was planned to extend all the way to the city through Five Dock and Glebe but the Wran Labour Government cancelled this project in February 1977 and sold off the reservation. An compromise solution, the City West Link, was constructed as an alterntive entrance to the CBD but only to arterial road standards. The concept of a full freeway standard connection to the city has been revived in recent years as a tolled tunnel proposal. More information is available on the M4's Construction info and history page.
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Westbound approaching the eastern end of the Western Motorway at Concord. Photo taken July 2004. |
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Eastbound RD sign from the M4 intersection. Photo taken June 2004. |
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Looking east from the footbridge at Broughton St, Concord. Photo taken June 2004. |
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Looking west in mid-day traffic at Shaftesbury Rd, Burwood. Photo taken June 2004. |
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1993 photo eastbound at Cheltneham Rd, Five Dock. Note the advance street name signage, rare in NSW but trialled on Parramatta Rd in the early 1990's. |
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Eastbound approaching Gt North Rd at Five Dock. May 2004. |
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ID signs at Gt North Rd. Note the rare 'END SR21' sign. May 2004. |
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Now-removed AD sign for Gt North Rd westbound. 1996. |