A Federal Labor Government will contribute a third of the cost to build east facing ramps on both sides of the M5 at Belmore Rd.

Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition announced in Riverwood today that Labor will split the cost 3 ways with the NSW Government and the toll company which operates the road.

“This project is long overdue and frankly should have already been completed by various State Governments of both political sides. But there have been years of talk and no action,” Mr Dastyari said

“Our local Federal candidate Chris Gambian has a fresh idea to break the log-jam by asking a Federal Labor Government to provide a third of the funds as a way to get things moving.”

“This is a co-operative and innovative way to get this much needed project underway”.

“When the M5 was first built, provision was made for the ramps to be added later. The geo-tech work has been done, and now all that remains is to lay tarmac on the ramps.”

The estimated cost of the project is between $6 and $9 million, with the Commonwealth’s share coming from existing road improvement budgets.

Labor’s candidate for Banks, Chris Gambian, said that the proposal is “a way to ensure that local residents finally get the road they deserve”.

“People in Riverwood, Peakhurst, Mortdale, Oatley, Lugarno, Penshurst and Narwee will save precious minutes off their commute every day,” Mr Gambian said

“There’s no point in widening the M5 if people are in gridlock while they wait to get on it.”

“Building this missing link will also ease traffic on local roads, particularly near King Georges Road and the surrounding back streets”.