WestConnex, NorthConnex tunnels halve journey times in 10 years, new data reveals
Sydney leaders have called for an ambitious approach to road infrastructure as new figures reveal the city’s WestConnex and NorthConnex tolled tunnels have saved motorists hundreds of hours in traffic. See the numbers.
NSW
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Sydney leaders have called for an ambitious approach to road infrastructure as new figures reveal the city’s WestConnex and NorthConnex tolled tunnels have saved motorists hundreds of hours a year in bumper to bumper traffic, and slashed journeys in half over the last decade despite up to one million more people on the roads.
Driving between Parramatta and the domestic terminal at Sydney Airport via the M4 and M8 can be between 34 and 53 minutes faster during the morning and afternoon periods – in both directions – than taking Church Street, data from location technology company TomTom and compiled by toll road operator Transurban shows.
Journeys eastbound from Parramatta to Rozelle have been slashed by a third using WestConnex. Prior to the tunnels opening in 2019, the drive took 58 minutes on average in the 8am til 9am rush hour, and now takes just 19 minutes.
If a Parramatta resident was to drive to work in Rozelle and back home via the WestConnex every day, they would spend almost 300 fewer hours behind the wheel annually.
Motorists who opt to avoid the tolls have also benefited from traffic moving underground, with the data indicating tunnels have decreased travel time right across the Sydney network by 4 per cent.
Along Pennant Hills Road between Hornsby and the M2 travel time has dropped from a peak of 24 minutes southbound in 2014 to 17 minutes just ten years later, despite the growing population, as traffic and trucks took the eight-minute drive through the NorthConnex tunnel instead.
NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said the time saved is proof investment in the city’s road network is warranted, with the NRMA’s own analysis showing drivers can also reduce their fuel consumption by 35 per cent when taking the tunnels.
“There’s a lot of debate over whether or not we’re paying too much in tolls, but what’s really important here is that there is a free alternative – we want motorists to have choice,” he said.
“This is why we have to build infrastructure … it’s about getting people home to their family quicker, about businesses moving their goods quicker.
“What’s also crucial in all of this, is that we know congestion is an economic growth killer – for small and medium businesses, the more time they spend in traffic is less time they spend in front of customers.”
Other major road projects like the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway will also soon be finished, completing the modernisation of Sydney’s roads, he said.
“A lot of credit has to go to previous governments in NSW, because we have done a lot of catching up over the past 15 years or so,” Mr Khoury said.
“You can now get from Penrith to the airport without hitting a set of lights – that’s what we would expect from a modern city.”
Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger said the completion of the “transformative” and “vital” tunnel projects mean government now needs to “look ahead” and plan for more future growth.
“The most valuable asset in Western Sydney is time, and these new roads have dramatically improved connectivity, saving hundreds of hours for residents to spend with their friends and families,” he said.
“Projects such as the Outer Sydney Orbital will be critical in ensuring that Western Sydney remains connected, competitive, and ready for the opportunities of the future.”
Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said NorthConnex in particular has resolved “a traffic quagmire” and the time saved has been an “economic boost” for Sydney.
Focus now needs to turn to expansion of the Sydney Metro, he said, “but there is no doubt that the expanded motorway network is achieving its objective in enhancing the life of our city”.
Mascot-based founder of supplement brand Renovatio Dr Vincent Candrawinata commutes regularly via WestConnex to Bella Vista, and said travelling a route without tolls can “double, if not more” the 30 to 40 minute drive.
“I was an early adopter of the WestConnex,” he said.
“If my memory serves right, I think they have actually increased the speed limit … (but) in my opinion the speed limit could be increased (further).”
Transurban CEO Michelle Jablko said while she believes the company’s tolled tunnels “have made a positive difference” to the road network, Sydneysiders will always the choice to take other routes.
“Over the last 20 years, our roads have played a vital role in the liveability and productivity of Sydney, and it’s hard to imagine how much slower it would be without them,” she said.
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Originally published as WestConnex, NorthConnex tunnels halve journey times in 10 years, new data reveals
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