Western Harbour Tunnel: submissions close on proposal today
It is the $14 billion Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway project earmarked to provide commuters with a third Sydney Harbour crossing, and today is your last chance to have a say on the plans.
Mosman
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mosman. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Today is your last chance to have your say on plans for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade.
The $14 billion NSW Government project is earmarked to comprise of a new motorway tunnel connection across Sydney Harbour, and an upgrade of the Warringah Freeway to provide a future connection of the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway.
Public exhibition of the plans for the new underground link closes today, before the NSW Government is then called to respond to submissions from the public and government agencies.
A planner for the multibillion-dollar project said travel times between Dee Why and Sydney Airport would be 56 minutes faster at the completion of the project.
“The delivery of the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link program of works would unlock a range of benefits for freight, public transport and private vehicle users,” the planner said.
“It would support faster and more reliable travel times for journeys between the strategic centres along the Eastern Economic Corridor of Sydney – an area between Port Botany and northwest that accounts for over 40 per cent of the NSW gross State product.”
Government traffic data suggests the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Warringah Freeway and the Sydney Harbour Tunnel are three of the busiest roads in the state, with a total combined daily use of almost 500,000 vehicles.
“The high demand and limited capacity on the Sydney Harbour crossings result in delays and
unreliable journey times for a significant number of customers who directly rely on these corridors,” the planner said in the government plans.
“The Eastern Distributor, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Warringah Freeway and the Gore Hill Freeway corridor are among Australia’s most congested road corridors, generating a congestion cost of around $65,000 per day.”
The proposed twin-motorway Western Harbour Tunnel would divert from the Warringah Freeway under North Sydney and Waverton — connecting to Birchgrove, Lilyfield and provide M4 and M5 link connections.
The tunnels, which will include underground and under water sections, are expected to be 6.5km long and provide surface connections at Rozelle, North Sydney and Cammeray — as well as direct connections to the Warringah Freeway.
Three other alternative routes were considered as part of the plans for the Western Harbour Tunnel, including a massive route stretching from Macquarie Park through Hunters Hill, Drummoyne and into Rozelle, while two other proposes suggested tunnelling under Balmain East.
To have your say on the plans, visit planningportal.nsw.gov.au.