The Rudd Labor Government's unprecedented investment in the road and rail infrastructure within New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory continues unabated, with a further $1.5 billion being provided in the 2010-11 Budget.

The aim of our infrastructure building program is simple: to build more sustainable communities and a more productive national economy, one positioned to take full advantage of the global economic recovery.

In the case of NSW and the ACT, we've boosted spending on roads and on rail by 130 per cent over the life of the current Nation Building Program (2008-09 to 2013-14), bringing our total investment in both jurisdictions to $12.3 billion.

These major investments in New South Wales and ACT infrastructure are part of the Rudd Government's plan to strengthen our economy so we can face the future with confidence.

The 2010-11 Budget continues the rollout of this unprecedented investment.

During the coming financial year (2010-11), work will start on a range of major road and rail projects including:

• Hunter Expressway - scheduled for completion in 2013.


• Pacific Highway, Kempsey Bypass - scheduled for completion in 2014.


• Pacific Highway, Sapphire to Woolgoolga - scheduled for completion in 2014.


• Pacific Highway, Devils Pulpit - scheduled for completion in 2012.


• Hume Highway, Holbrook Bypass - scheduled for completion in 2012.


• Port Botany Rail Line Upgrade Stage 2 between Enfield and Port Botany - scheduled for completion in 2013.

Communities across NSW and the ACT will benefit from the completion in 2010-11 of the following major projects:

• NSW Bruxner Highway, Alstonville Bypass.


• ACT/NSW Lanyon Drive Extension Stage 2.

In pushing on with our Nation Building investments, projects that will continue with major construction during 2010-11 include:

• Hume Highway, Tarcutta Bypass


• Hume Highway, Woomargama Bypass


• Pacific Highway, Ballina Bypass


• Pacific Highway, Banora Point Upgrade


• Pacific Highway, Bulahdelah Bypass


• Pacific Highway, Glenugie Upgrade


• Great Western Highway, Wentworth Falls East

The 2010-11 Budget includes $544 million to invest in the Australian Rail Track Corporation to facilitate a range of works on the interstate network to improve the efficiency of freight rail in NSW, including:

• Building three double track passing loops near Goulburn, Moss Vale and Glenlee;


• Re-railing the lines between Whyalla and Broken Hill and between Parkes and Broken Hill; and


• Replacing the existing old wooden sleepers on the line between Parkes and Broken Hill.

We will also continue funding a range of initiatives designed to make our highways and local roads safer:

• $20.1 million to eliminate another 115 dangerous black spots on local roads;


• $3.4 million to deliver more safe, modern roadside facilities for truck drivers, including new and refurbished rest stops, parking bays and decoupling areas.

The 2010-11 Budget also provides $282.2 million to assist councils and shires in NSW maintain and upgrade their local roads. The ACT will receive $26 million. Of this, $50.6 million has been brought forward into 2009-10 for NSW and the ACT.

As well as building and modernising the transport infrastructure vital to Australia's long term productivity and prosperity, our $37 billion Nation Building Program helped shield the NSW and ACT economies from the worst of last year's global recession.

Within NSW and the ACT, as well as across the country, the Rudd Labor Government is building a national road network and an interstate rail system equal to the needs of the 21st century.