Engineering research work for a Middle Harbour tunnel set to begin after $17m pledge in State Budget

Money was pledged in the budget for more research on a tunnel to tackle Spit Bridge traffic- but roads bosses say things need to get moving

Officially called the Northern Beaches Link, the tunnel will be part of the Western Harbour Tunnel plan. Picture: Richard Dobson

• Northern Beaches needs spit bridge tunnel
• Mosman bypass would skip Spit Bridge

PLANS for a tunnel to ease gridlock on The Spit Bridge have taken a step forward.

Officially called the Northern Beaches Link, the tunnel will be part of the Western Harbour Tunnel plan. Drilling sample bore holes, digging test pits and sampling soil are now scheduled to begin.

NSW Premier Mike Baird and NSW Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian after handing down the 2016 NSW state budget. Picture Cameron Richadson

More than $17 million was pledged in this week’s State Budget for the work, which transport bosses say will be used to gather information about underground soil and rock conditions to “help define­ the design and development options.”

The NRMA welcomed the news from Premier Mike Baird – but said it needed to be accelerated.

The Spit Bridge between 1924 and 1928.

“We are pleased to see some planning money has been set aside to start work on a long-term solution to the congestion choking the Spit Bridge and Military Road, NRMA local director­ Tim Trumper said. “This project is crucial to the long-term development of the northern beaches and will ultimately improve the quality of life for thousands of local families.

“We need to get this project shovel-ready as soon as possible.”

Traffic congestion on the Spit Bridge Picture: Braden Fastier

Mr Baird told the Manly Daily: “We’re reducing traffic gridlock across the beaches by investing in major road upgrades and the B-Line and undertaking the planning needed for these massive projects.”

NRMA director Tim Trumper has urged action. Picture: Braden Fastier.

“It’s important we do the early work now so that we can make informed investment decisions on these projects­ that are backed up by solid work on engineering feasibility, traffic numbers, and robust project cost estimates.”

The plan was first announced in June 2014.