The chances of the Bells Line Expressway being built in the short term appear unlikely if the reactions of state Nationals MPs are anything to go by.
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Member for Dubbo Troy Grant and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole were both asked where they stood on the idea of a Bells Line Expressway to improve transport links over the Blue Mountains.
Mr Grant said he supported an expressway but in a statement very similar to his Nationals colleague and Roads Minister Melinda Pavey, said it was “too early to speculate” on a design or engineering solution.
In his statement, Mr Toole said he “would continue to advocate for short, medium and long term outcomes for the Bells Line” but didn’t answer any questions about his position on an expressway.
He was far more enthusiastic to talk about the current work being done on the Bells Line of Road.
"The Bells Line is an important road corridor that provides an alternate route linking the Central West with Sydney,” he said.
"The NSW government continues to invest huge amounts of money for upgrading and improving our roads right across the Bathurst electorate.
"I welcome the completion of the seven new overtaking lanes on the Bells Line of Road. This project has made an important contribution to the safety and access on that stretch of road.”
Mr Grant said transport and freight access over the Mountains was being looked at in the draft Future Transport 2056 plan.
“I support an expressway from Dubbo to Sydney, I always have. It is a vital nation building project that would bring obvious economic benefits to the Central West & Western Plains,” Mr Grant said.
“An upgraded Bells Line of Road corridor is included in the draft plan, as is the vital ‘Castlereagh Connection’ corridor between the M7 and Karrajong.
Their responses were a stark contrast to Nationals MLC and Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless, who said it was time something should be done and work should start in the next two years.
Mr Colless said he believed his fellow Nationals did want to see it built.
“My colleagues in western NSW hold a similar view to me. Some of them are in cabinet so they have to be a bit more restrained in what they say but they want it,” Mr Colless said.