WestConnex M4 progress: Widened motorway stretch opens July 15

THE newly widened M4 motorway will open next month, providing a massive boost for Western Sydney motorists. But there is a toll looming.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian takes a guided tour on progress of the WestConnex M4 tunnel at Concord yesterday. Picture: AAP

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THE newly widened M4 motorway will open next month, providing a massive boost for Western Sydney motorists.

But drivers will face fresh tolls a month later on the upgraded road, which is opening three weeks later than planned due to rain delays.

The 8km section between Church St in Parramatta and Homebush Bay Drive, Homebush, opens on July 15 and is expected to ease traffic congestions for thousands of motorists a day.

A roadheader and construction worker watches machinery on the eastbound WestConnex M4 tunnel yesterday.

Minister for WestConnex Stuart Ayres said he wasn’t concerned about the three- week delay. “The Western Sydney community have been waiting 30 years for this road so I’m more than comfortable with having three weeks beyond the contracted date,” he said.

“We’ve had one of the wettest summers and autumns Sydney’s experienced in over a decade. To be coming in about three weeks after our official start date I think is well within reason.”

The distance-based toll on the M4 will range from $1.77 to $4.56 when it comes into effect in August.

“We would love to not have a toll but unfortunately that’s not possible,” said Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The government said yesterday plans for the M4-M5 link tunnel were progressing with two companies short-listed for the contract.

“The M4-M5 link is the most important stage of WestConnex as it will provide the vital connection between the new and upgraded M4 and M5 motorways for tens of thousands of vehicles a day and connect to Port Botany, the airport and future M6,” Mr Ayers said.

The contract will be awarded at the end of the month with work not expected to start for six to 12 months while environment and planning work is undertaken.

Joint ventures Lend Lease Samsung Bouygues and John Holland CPB Contracts are in the running for the contract to build the main line tunnel between Haberfield and St Peters. This will be a non-stop western bypass of Sydney CDB. This section of the $16.8 billion WestConnex will not be open until 2022.

“I hope these tunnels remind people we’re taking a lot of congestion off residential roads. We’re alleviating a lot of the above ground congestion and putting it underground,” Ms Berejiklian said.