Critical construction and maintenance work across New South Wales (NSW) roads and transport networks is being ramped up to keep people in jobs during COVID-19.

The scheme hopes to protect the livelihoods of more than 130,000 people directly and indirectly employed by Transport for NSW.

Transport and Roads Minister Andrew Constance says transport infrastructure projects will be key in rebuilding the State’s economy after the pandemic.

“The NSW Government is pushing ahead with delivering $57.5 billion worth of transport infrastructure across the next four years, so it’s essential to keep moving during a time like this,” said Constance.

“Continuing work on critical transport infrastructure is great news for industry as thousands of jobs will be sustained in the coming months. This work will also provide significant economic benefits to suppliers, manufacturers and supporting sectors.”

Constance says crews are already taking advantage of the reduced number of cars on the roads to fast-track projects.

“Earlier this month, the M5 East Motorway was completely closed to fast track resurfacing work in the usually busy tunnels,” he said. “This was a great result for drivers as the work usually would have been carried out across a number of weeks at night.”