The New South Wales Government has released a detailed design for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link, taking pressure off other major bridges in Sydney.
The Western Harbour Tunnel will create a western bypass of the CBD, taking pressure off the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Anzac Bridge and Western Distributor. It will also cut a journey from Olympic Park to North Sydney by 13 minutes, or more than two hours per week.
The Beaches Link will, for the first time, provide a motorway link between the Northern Beaches and the rest of Sydney. It will also reduce the travel time from Brookvale to the CBD by 27 minutes and slash a trip from Dee Why to the Airport by 41 minutes.
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said since announcing a preferred route last year, the NSW Government has listened to the community and massively improved the locations for the ventilation outlets, reduced the number of properties to be acquired to 37 and sought to minimise construction impacts.
“We know the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link are important projects that will benefit the wider road network,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We also know this has been promised over many decades, but only the NSW Liberals & Nationals will deliver it because the strong economic management of this Government means these vital road connections are finally becoming a reality.
“We will continue to listen to the community and we want to stress that even these improved plans are subject to further community consultation and are subject to further change.”
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey, said the NSW Government had committed $550 million to the projects in the recent Budget. The final cost will be determined when a final design and financing options from the private sector have been finalised.
“We want to be up front with the community now and say the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link will be tolled, but as always there will be a free alternative,” Mrs Pavey said.
The detailed design for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link will now be subject to extensive community consultation until November, with feedback to be taken on board to refine the design, ahead of the planning assessment phase.
Early works on the projects, expected to start in late 2018, include initial work around the Warringah Freeway and initial work to allow the Western Harbour Tunnel to connect to the Rozelle Interchange.
Subject to planning approvals and finalised financing and procurement major construction is due to begin in 2020 with the tunnels expected to open to traffic by 2026.
The Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link are part of the NSW Government’s record investment in both public transport and roads, including Sydney Metro Northwest, Sydney Metro City & Southwest, Sydney Metro West, WestConnex and NorthConnex.
