Motorists stopping in lanes or reversing to avoid copping tolls by entering Sydney's new M4 East tunnels have prompted transport officials to urge drivers to slow down and continue on if they mistakenly end up heading onto the new roadway.
Several drivers of trucks carrying dangerous goods have also reversed or stopped just short of entering the new three-lane eastbound tunnel at Homebush over the past two days. Dangerous goods trucks are prohibited from Sydney's motorway tunnels because of the risks they pose.
While traffic flows on the M4 East and connecting roads were smooth during the morning peak on Monday, transport authorities say the first test will come next Tuesday, when all of the city's schools have reopened after the holidays.
Traffic volumes on roads across Sydney, including the new M4 East, remain light due to the school holidays. The M4 East, which is the first major stage of the $16.8 billion WestConnex toll road, was opened to motorists in the early hours of Saturday morning, after more than three years of construction.
Transport for NSW co-ordinator general Marg Prendergast said the agency would keep reminding motorists to slow down on the approaches to the M4 East over the next week, and not to panic if they mistakenly found themselves heading into the tunnels.
"We are still seeing people ending up in the wrong lane and trying to make a dash across [barriers to avoid entering the tunnels]," she said.
"If you do find yourself in the wrong lane, don't reverse. You are going to have to keep going."
Traffic on the new M4 East has been light on the first weekday since it opened.Credit: Christopher Pearce
Many of the incidents involving motorists stopping in lanes, crossing barriers or reversing have occurred near the entrance to the westbound tunnel for the M4 East from Parramatta Road at Ashfield, despite large signs advising drivers that they are nearing the toll road.
The maximum tolls for cars on the M4 East is $4.27, and $12.81 for trucks.
Ms Prendergast said motorists risked endangering themselves or others if they stopped in a lane, reversed or crossed barriers to avoid the tolls.
"What we can't have is the last-minute lane change, stopping or reversing. Slow down and be aware on approach to these areas," she said. "And don't panic – you just need to continue."
Traffic is likely to remain light on the new M4 East until early next week.Credit: Christopher Pearce
In one incident captured by Nine News cameras at Ashfield, the driver of a Porsche stopped in a lane to the new tunnels before reversing to get back onto Parramatta Road.
The Berejiklian government decided against a month-long toll-free period for the M4 East because it wanted to avoid severe congestion at interchanges and entrances and exits from the new tunnels.
The distance-based tolls for WestConnex are capped at $9.30 for cars.
However, the so-called escalation rate for WestConnex means the tolls will rise by 4 per cent a year, or the inflation rate, whichever is greater.
The M4 East will be connected by 2023 to twin 7-kilometre tunnels being dug between Haberfield and St Peters. Next year, the $4.3 billion second stage of WestConnex – a duplication of the M5 East from Beverly Hills to a new interchange at St Peters – is scheduled to be opened.