Davidson MP Jonathan O’Dea renews calls for tunnel from northern beaches to city
A RENEWED push for a tunnel underneath the Spit Bridge, is being led by Davidson State Liberal MP Jonathan O’Dea who says money urgently needs to be allocated for the project.
Manly
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A NORTHERN beaches MP is leading a new push to build a tunnel under the Spit Bridge, calling on his own government to “make a clear commitment” and urgently fund the project.
Davidson state Liberal MP Jonathan O’Dea said he was taking the opportunity of by-elections either side of the bridge to spur the State Government into action after more than 25 years of promises.
“I won’t resist calling for what is in the interest of my local community and region, even if that means putting a little bit of pressure on my colleagues,” he said.
“I am not going to hide from the politics of it. There is an opportunity to put a bit more pressure on the Government.”
Mr O’Dea spoke in Parliament on Tuesday, seeking a commitment to build the tunnel between Manly Vale and Cammeray, estimated to cost $3.1 billion.
In last year’s Budget, $17 million was allocated to the Western Harbour Tunnel plan, some of which was used for works to investigate the Mosman and Military Rd bypass.
Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said on Tuesday a tunnel was still on the cards.
“Roads and Maritime Services is carrying out geotechnical investigations alongside Transport for NSW to ensure planning for the Beaches Link program considers Sydney’s future transport needs,” she said.
“The investigation to finalise a route, capacity and traffic numbers for a future connection will help shape a final business case, which the NSW Government will consider in the near term.”
But Mr O’Dea told the parliament that the fact it “might” happen wasn’t good enough. He said a solution “to help alleviate the already crippling and growing traffic congestion” was needed now.
The NRMA has offered its support. Spokesman Peter Khoury said “the northern beaches has to be next on the (infrastructure) list”.
“We need to find a solution to the Spit Bridge and Military Rd, and enhance public transport for people in that part of Sydney,” Mr Khoury said.
“Only then will you start to see the travel times we believe people living in a city like Sydney deserve.”
He praised the Government’s infrastructure plans to date, including construction of the WestConnex and NorthConnex motorways.
Mr O’Dea suggested a public-private partnership should be explored, with a “fair toll” attached. He said the infrastructure was needed to improve traffic flow along the entire peninsula and the north shore.
“The people along the Manly-Mosman corridor would see the benefits, but also there is an overflow down Warringah Rd, making traffic an issue in Davidson,” he said.
The tunnel has been long mooted and a perpetual election promise billed as the solution to the peninsula’s gridlock.
Former premier and outgoing Manly state Liberal MP Mike Baird, and former prime minister and Warringah federal Liberal MP Tony Abbott have previously made election promises to build the tunnel.
After being re-elected last July, Mr Abbott said he was “very confident that we’re going to hear more from the State Government before the end of the year”. But no announcement came last year.
Mr Abbott said the construction of a tunnel remained a priority for him.
“It’s absolutely essential for the long-term future of our area that this long-overdue infrastructure go ahead,” he said.
“I am confident we will hear more details from the State Government in the near future.”
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