M4-M8 WestConnex tunnels: Inner West invited to go underground to see new motorway
The new, unopened WestConnex tunnels linking St Peters and Haberfield will be opened to encourage hundreds of residents to see the engineering feats for themselves. See the exclusive pictures.
Inner West
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The new, unopened WestConnex tunnels linking St Peters and Haberfield will be opened to the community next month to encourage hundreds of residents to see the engineering feats for themselves.
The 7.5km tunnels, which will open to drivers early next year, will link the M4 and M8 in Sydney’s Inner West, creating a 33km traffic-light-free orbital designed to slash travel times by taking drivers underground and off clogged thoroughfares.
On December 18, Transurban, the company managing the infrastructure, is inviting residents below the surface to get an exclusive glimpse of the engineering.
“The tunnels are starting to look and feel like a finished motorway, with line-marking underway, signs being installed, and testing and commissioning happening every day to get it safe and ready,” Transurban’s WestConnex group executive Andrew Head said.
With up to four lanes in each direction, the link will be future-proofed with world class traffic management systems, designed to talk to the next phase of electric, connected and automated vehicles, as well as slashing peak drive times from Parramatta to the airport by up to 40 minutes.
The group hopes hundreds of Inner Westies will come down to look at the work beneath their feet at the sneak-peak open day next month.
“Covid restrictions meant no open days were possible for the M8 and NorthConnex, so this will be a special day to share with the local community,” Mr Head said.
“Underground bus tours are expected to book out quickly – we encourage everyone to book their free tickets to avoid missing out.”
Alongside the underground tours, community pop-up stalls will shoot up across the area to allow residents to pick the brains of WestConnex experts.
“Local communities along the WestConnex corridor should be the first to know about what this new motorway will mean for them,” Mr Head said.
“It’s also a chance to learn about the changes expected on the surface, with traffic on roads such as Parramatta Rd, King St and Sydenham Rd expected to reduce once the tunnels open. Already we have seen traffic volumes reduced by a third on Parramatta Rd since the opening of the M4 tunnels, improving air quality in local communities by around 15 per cent.”
Mr Head also explained how the environment remained a focus during the construction and opening of the tunnels.
“More than 18 hectares of green space is being delivered as part of WestConnex, as well as 23km of new and improved cycleways and walkways,” he said.
“This is in addition to planting more than a million trees, plants and shrubs, resulting in a net increase.”
Inner Westies can book their underground tour tickets online to see the tunnels.
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