Transurban ramps up commission for new WestConnex tunnel

The operators of Sydney’s WestConnex are continuing to ramp up commissioning every day in order to get the 7.5km mega-tunnel safe and ready before its unveiling at an open day on December 18.

The operators of Sydney’s WestConnex are continuing to ramp up commissioning every day in order to get the 7.5km mega-tunnel safe and ready before its unveiling at an open day on December 18.

The $3.2bn four-lane motorway will slash drive-times for motorists by bypassing 52 sets of traffic lights and connecting the M4 at Haberfield and the M8 at St Peters said the tunnel's operator, Transurban.

An exclusive peer inside the M4-M8 tunnels of WestConnex, set to open in early 2023. Picture: Darren Daly

UNSW construction expert Dr Johnson Shen pointed to international success with similarly constructed tunnels.

“If we look at other hugely populated cities such as Singapore or Tokyo, they have extensive networks of underground tunnels to support their above-ground transport system,” he said. “Why? Because when you have limited space but still need to make the city liveable for its residents, you either must start building bridges which is often impractical, or build tunnels deep below the ground … No infrastructure project is ever cheap, but the benefit to the community is priceless.”

Roads Minister Natalie Ward said the tunnel would help stop the kids from asking that well-worn question from the back seat.

“Bypassing 52 sets of traffic lights between Western Sydney and the CBD means drivers can get home to their loved ones sooner and kids aren’t sitting in the back seat asking ‘are we there yet?’,” she said.