M4 WestConnex to cut travel from Parramatta to airport by 40 minutes

TRAFFIC sensors along the upgraded M4 have been dubbed a “game changer”. This is in addition to the WestConnex project, working to reduce travel time from western Sydney to the airport, by 40 minutes.

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TRAFFIC sensors along the upgraded M4 are being called a “game changer” for the thousands of motorists who travel the motorway each day.

The 35km-upgrade will incorporate new technologies designed to create a better travelling experience.

Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said the traffic sensors were “giving the motorway a brain” to assist with traffic flow, reduce traffic incidents and provide faster travel times between Pitt St, Mays Hill and Russell St, Lapstone.

Work started on Monday on widening the M4 to four lanes in each direction between Roper Rd and the M7.

Paving underway in an M4 tunnel. Picture: Stephen Antonopoulos

An artist’s impression of the M4 tunnel Concord interchange.

The upgrade will include traffic sensors every 500m, quick-changing ramp signals, and it will allow lanes to be closed in response to accidents. It will be complete in 2020.

This is in addition to the work underway on the WestConnex. The widened section of the M4 between Parramatta and Homebush will be extended via twin tunnels to City West Link and Parramatta Rd, Haberfield and opens early next year.

“We’ve been opening new sections of infrastructure to both improve connectivity to the M4 and open up areas to allow construction to proceed, which is an essential step on the path to getting the new M4 twin tunnels delivered,” M4 project director Terry Chapman said.

One of the new M4 tunnels under construction. Picture: Stephen Antonopoulos

The tunnels rune 5.5km between Homebush and Haberfield. Picture: Stephen Antonopoulos

Motorists are already using a new eastbound ramp from Homebush Bay Dr and the tunnel entrance and exit ramps between Homebush Bay Dr and Concord Rd.

This allows work to progress on the tunnel ramps in the middle of the motorway corridor. Beneath the surface, the project team is moving onto the next phase.

“Excavation of the 5.5km tunnels between Homebush and Haberfield is almost complete,” Mr Chapman said.

The M4 East is around 6.5km long and will connect with the widened M4 and extends via 5.5-kilometres of twin tunnels from Homebush to Haberfield.

The tunnel allows motorists to bypass up to 22 sets of traffic lights and is due for completion in 2019.

Travel time is expected to reduce by 40 minutes from Parramatta to Sydney airport.

Parramatta Rd to the M4 east tunnels looking west towards Concord.

TIME FRAME

2013 — Planning application for the M4 lodged in November.

2014 — Community consultation on M4 East concept design in February.

2015 — John Holland Joint Venture picked to deliver the M4 East in June.

2016 — Tunnel and surface works start in May.

2017 — Tunnel excavation reaches halfway point in June.

2018 — M4 East section at 71 per cent completion in April.

M4 project director Terry Chapman.

INTERESTING FACTS

Since construction began on the WestConnex in 2016:

● 7.5 million work hours have been clocked up.

● 6 million tonnes of spoil has been excavated.

● 220,000 cubic metres of concrete has been poured.

● 1900 people are working on the project every day.

● Of the 9600 people who have been involved in the project, more than half are from western Sydney.

● More than 700 contracts have been awarded at a value of more than $1 billion.

● This includes 300 contracts with Sydney suppliers.