Motorists are expected to save an hour on a cross-town journey from the M5 at Prestons to the M2 at West Baulkham Hills when the 40-kilometre, $1.5 billion Western Sydney Orbital (WSO) opens at the end of 2006.

The Federal Government is contributing $360 million to the cost of the project. The State Government is supervising the private sector contract for the mammoth project, which is destined to change the face of Western Sydney.

The WestLink Motorway Limited is sponsored by Leighton Contractors and Abigroup Ltd, together with Macquarie Infrastructure Group and Transurban Infrastructure Development Ltd.

Travel time and fuel savings of up to $25 are likely for heavy vehicles.

Ms Kelly said the project would deliver enormous economic and social benefits for Sydney.

Ms Kelly said the WSO would link major industrial parks and population nodes, creating jobs and urban renewal in a region where half of Sydney’s population will be living by 2020.

``The WSO will relieve this pressure by taking an estimated 60,000 vehicles (including 10,000 heavy trucks) off Western Sydney roads,’’ Ms Kelly said.

``It will be a catalyst for urban renewal. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for civic and business interests in Western Sydney to regenerate the region and fully integrate it with the rest of Sydney.

``In many ways, this is a forerunner of the types of proposals the Commonwealth would like to see under its proposed new Auslink land transport policy. We need more closely link transport infrastruture with land-use planning and the economic spin-offs generated,’’ Ms Kelly said.

``Where possible, the private sector should be involved in the provision of major infrastructure.’’

Ms Kelly said the WSO would be a vital link in the National Highway network.

``It will provide a safer and more efficient route for heavy vehicles travelling through Sydney, as well as providing improved access to the Sydney Orbital motorway network, Port Botany and Sydney Airport for freight and rural produce.’’

Motorists using the new freeway would avoid 56 sets of traffic lights and make the journey from south of Liverpool to Pennant Hills in less than 30 minutes.