Road Photos & Information: New South Wales
Russell Street, Castlereagh Road, Jane Street, Belmore Street, North Street, Great Western Highway, Parramatta Road, Wattle Street, Dobroyd Parade, City West Link and The Crescent (A44)
Parramatta to Rozelle
Statistics:
- Length:
- 45 km (Parramatta to Rozelle: 19 km)
- Termini:
- Eastern: Victoria Rd (A4 and A40), Rozelle
- Western: Western Mwy (M4) and Leonay Pde, Emu Plains
- Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:
- Parramatta, Granville, Clyde, Silverwater, Auburn, Lidcombe, Homebush West, Homebush, Strathfield, Haberfield, Leichhardt, Lilyfield and Rozelle
Route Numbering:
- Current: A44
- Former: A4 32 44
- Road Authority Internal Classification:
- HW5 1
- MR655 2
General Information:
A44 is an east-west route that forms a major arterial route in Sydney's western suburbs. it's a mostly multi-lane road, much of which is divided. it's Australia's oldest road built by European settlers.
Since the completion of Western Mwy (M4) the importance of the route has changed, however it's still one of the city's busier routes and services residential, commercial and industrial areas.
History:
- 1791: A track was cut between Sydney and Parramatta, which was used for official business only, not general travel. 3
- January 1797: Governor Captain John Hunter orders the route be of the track between Sydney and Parramatta to be upgraded. 3
- July 1797: Work begins to widen the track between Sydney and Parramatta to 20 feet wide. 3
- August 1797: Completion of the widening of the track between Sydney and Parramatta. 3
- October 1797: Bridge over Duck River completed. 3
- 10 May 1810: Tolling is introduced along the route between Sydney and Parramatta, and beyond to Windsor. The tolling was introduced to fund road upgrades. 3
- June 1858: The Main Roads Management Act appoints Captain BH Martindale as the person responsible for the management of 3 main roads in the colony including the Great Western Road, from Sydney via Parramatta, Penrith, Hartley and Bathurst to Wellington. 3
- 7 June 1926: A board meeting resolved to set aside funding from the Commonwealth's road funding scheme for road development to be used on some of NSW 'great trunk routes', which included the Great Western Road. 3
- 1938: Installation of warning signs, roadmarkings and guide posts along a 60 mile stretch between Parramatta and Mt Victoria. These were implemented for testing, for a possible statewide rollout. 3
- 1939: After successful testing of warning signs, roadmarkings and guide posts, the system was implemented statewide. Also the full completion of pavement along the Great Western Road. 3
- 2013: State Route 44 replaced by A44.
- 2022: A44 extended along Wattle St, City West Link and The Crescent.
Parramatta to Strathfield
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign on Parramatta Rd (A44) at Auburn, February 2017.
Image © Spenser Tan
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on Parramatta Rd (A44) at Homebush West approaching Centenary Dr (A3), February 2017.
Image © Spenser Tan
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign at Homebush approaching Concord Rd and Leicester Av, February 2017. Parramatta Rd used to become A4 beyond this junction.
Image © Spenser Tan
NEW Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on Concord Rd, Canada Bay, approaching Parramatta Rd (A44), April 2023.
Image © Paul Rands
NEW Intersection Directional Sign:
ID sign facing Concord Rd, Canada Bay, at the junction with Parramatta Rd (A44), April 2023.
Image © Paul Rands
Strathfield to Parramatta
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on Parramatta Rd (A44) approaching the junction with Leicester Av and Concord Rd at Concord, February 2017.
Image © Spenser Tan
2 NSW Government, Transport for NSW, Schedule of Classified Roads And State and Regional Roads, February 2023.
3 NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, The Roadmakers, A History of Main Roads in New South Wales, ISBN 0 7240 0439 4.