How to avoid repeat of Rozelle interchange chaos when new airport link opens

Motorists are being urged to familiarise themselves with a crucial final stage of a new $2.6 billion motorway to Sydney Airport before it opens in five weeks, to avoid a repeat of the confusion that reigned in the days after the Rozelle interchange opened.

As foreshadowed by the Herald, the government has confirmed that Sunday, September 1 will be the opening date for the final part of the Sydney Gateway, which links the WestConnex toll network to the airport’s domestic and international terminals.

In order to avoid driver confusion when it opens, the government has released animated drive-throughs showing signage, lane configuration and exits that motorists will need to take when the final stretch of the motorway opens.

They show how the gateway connects the airport to the M8 motorway and WestConnex interchange at St Peters, and the wider road network.

The opening to traffic of the final piece of the motorway will test officials’ management of greater traffic flows from the St Peters junction to the airport’s terminals. The gateway has capacity for more than 100,000 vehicles a day.

Officials want to avoid a repeat of the traffic chaos that happened after the Rozelle interchange opened last November, and the project has been opened in stages to limit traffic disruption.

Roads Minister John Graham said officials were working closely with Sydney Airport to ensure a smooth start, but he urged drivers to familiarise themselves with the online animations.

“For anyone who has sat in traffic around Mascot as the minutes to a flight tick down, this will be a welcome piece of toll-free motorway, while the local community will see fewer trucks on their streets,” he said.

The government estimates motorists will save 17 minutes driving between the airport and the St Peters interchange when the final piece opens.

Signage and road markings for the gateway have been tested on the public to ensure they are well understood, in an attempt to avoid the confusing signage that was blamed for traffic chaos when the Rozelle interchange opened. More than 100 changes have been made as a result.

Motorists will not have to pay tolls to use the gateway, which comprises more than five kilometres of motorway and 19 bridge structures.

Transport for NSW deputy secretary Camilla Drover said the agency would be monitoring and adjusting the network when the final piece opens.

“A few weeks after opening will be school holidays, which we know is a particularly busy time for the airport, so we expect there will be an increase in road traffic over that period,” she said.

Sydney Airport will put in place kerb-side measures to manage traffic flow at the terminals ahead of the opening.

Airport chief executive Scott Charlton, who previously ran toll road giant Transurban, said the motorway would significantly enhance links to the airport, especially western Sydney.

“Gateway will also bring substantial benefits to our local community by diverting cars and trucks off local roads, thereby alleviating congestion,” he said.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.