New Line Road is, in fact, old.
Spanning 6.2 kilometres, bridging the way between Castle Hill Road and Old Northern Road. It is a vital arterial road for the Northern end of Sydney, close to Pennant Hills Road and a path to Castle Hill Road for the motorway.
Originally constructed to reduce the route time from Dural to Sydney, the road has been around since the 1800s.
However, it has not always been known as New Line Road. Previous monikers include “New North Road” and “The New Public Northern Road”.
Being seated in history for some time, it has fashioned a notorious name for itself in no small part because of the daily congestion that occurs. For the better part of 20 years, New Line Road has incited concern and rage in residents and frequent drivers alike.
Most of the length of New Line Road is one lane each way, with pockets that open to two-lanes for short bursts. As a result of constant merging and high traffic at peak times, New Line Road turns into a cumbersome standstill.
During the Coalition’s reign under Scott Morrison, the Federal Government secured $10 million to commence a planning study and public consultation. As a State road, former members Matt Kean for Hornsby and Dominic Perrottet for Epping secured $70million to widen New Line Road.
Consultation has been completed, and areas of concern were identified for congestion. These included the flow over Pyes Creek, the Shepherds Drive and County Drive roundabout, the Old Northern Road roundabout, and the intersection at Hastings.
Planning is to be completed in mid 2025. To make matters worse for drivers, the Minns Government have not openly committed to the project. Local politicians banded together to demand the upgrades.
‘People throughout the Berowra electorate have been calling for the upgrade of New Line Road since before I was elected. By delaying this crucial project indefinitely, the Minns-Labor Government is letting down everyone who has fought for this project for almost 2 decades,’ said Member for Berowra, Julian Leeser.
‘Despite the desperate need, the new NSW Labor Government have yet to commit to upgrading New Line Road to make it fit for purpose for the existing population. They cannot only consider new developments in the area without also considering the required infrastructure,’ said Hornsby Shire Councillor, Nathan Tilbury.
‘I hate sitting in traffic on New Line Road. I will fight to ensure funding for New Line Road upgrades is finally delivered to ease local congestion. Labor has delayed this funding at a time when traffic and congestion is worse than ever before,’ said Member for Hornsby, James Wallace during his run in the state by-election.
Whether the widening of New Line Road will ever occur is perpetually uncertain. If history is to indicate anything, with the constant request for upgrade, a wider New Line Road appears a bleak hope.
