Government has awarded contract for upgrade
Work to upgrade the beleaguered Wakehurst Parkway will begin mid-2026, following the appointment of engineers Ertech to deliver the $85 million program.
Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison made the announcement on 23 March, flanked by Wakehurst MP Michael Regan and Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby.
The upgrade aims to improve traffic flow, address safety issues and increase the capacity for future traffic growth on the road. Mr Regan welcomed the news and said the milestone marked a significant step forward for one of the Northern Beaches’ most critical transport corridors.
“The Wakehurst Parkway is a key lifeline for my constituents, and these upgrades are long overdue,” Mr Regan said. “I’m really pleased to see a clear pathway to construction and I’m excited to see shovels in the ground soon.
“This will improve travel times, safety and reliability for thousands of locals who rely on this road every day.”
The project includes upgrades to Dreadnought Road intersections with new bus stops, pedestrian crossing, widening of lanes and new lanes. On the north end of the Parkway, work includes shoulder widening and changes to the Elanora Road and Mirrool Street intersections.
The announcement on 23 March at the Parkway
The Wakehurst Parkway is regularly closed to traffic due to flooding after heavy rain and the upgrades will include flood-improvement work between Dreadnought Road and Oxford Falls Road, the first step in improving flood resilience on the key arterial road.
The design work for the upgrades was complete and the work is due to begin mid-2026. Minister Aitchison said at the 23 March press conference that the project was anticipated to be completed by the first quarter of 2028, that the work would by ‘quite quick once (they) got going.’
Ms Scruby said that the Wakehurst Parkway upgrades would be a ‘gamechanger’ for Pittwater residents.
“After decades of broken roads and promises, we now have a contractor for Wakehurst Parkway. The green light and preparatory works are underway for the $500 million Mona Vale Road West upgrade project,” Ms Scruby said.
Mr Regan said the progress reflects strong, consistent advocacy from the community and local representatives.
“Jacqui Scruby and I have been working constructively with the State Government to push for real improvements, and it’s encouraging to see our advocacy actually delivering outcomes for our communities,” he said.
Minister Aitchison thanked Mr Regan and Ms Scruby and the community for their advocacy for the project.
“This is a good day for the thousands of commuters who use the Wakehurst Parkway daily,” Minister Aitchison said. “The award of this contract represents an important step towards smoother, safer journeys for Northern Beaches motorists.”