One of the most notorious roads in NSW will receive $55 million in safety upgrades and a koala crossing under a Labor government.
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Cunningham MP Sharon Bird and Macarthur MP Michael Freelander announced $50 million for upgrades and $5 million for a koala 'sky bridge' over Appin Road on Wednesday.
The money could be used for lane widening, shoulder widening, additional lanes and safety upgrades, with the final package of works to be guided by the planning work being undertaken by the state government.
Last election, Labor made the same commitment and then Liberals matched the funds.
Ms Bird said about 10,000 people travelled from the Illawarra to south west and western Sydney with many using Appin Road.
"It is a big commuter road and we want people to be safe when they leave and come home from work," she said.
"A lot of people from south western Sydney come down using the road for the tourism offering we have including the beaches, environment and special events. It is an important economic link.
"People also have families at both ends of the road.
"We need to make Appin Road a more efficient, reliable and safer road."
Mr Freelander said the number of heavy vehicles would increase with the development of the Western Sydney Airport.
"The trade links are rapidly expanding between Macarthur and the Illawarra so there are more heavy vehicles using Appin Road," he said.
"Many people have lost their lives on the road in the past 30 to 40 years including some I knew very well.
"That is because the road is unsafe. We are all human, we all make mistakes when we are driving and tired, and the road is difficult.
"We don't want any more people to lose their lives."
Mr Freelander said the Macarthur area had one of the only chlamydia-free koala populations in Australia and the colony was thriving.
"However, we are increasingly losing them to road accidents, especially during mating season," he said.
"Part of the money will be used to create a land bridge connecting the Nepean River side to the Georges River side which will save koala plus other native fauna."
Ms Bird, who does not have a Liberal candidate opponent, hopes the Liberal government will match Labor's commitment.
"It was good last election, Labor announced $50 million and not long after the Liberal Party matched it," Ms Bird said.
"It would be nice if they matched our commitment again.
"We will certainly be pressuring the government to do the same."
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