Sydney Gateway, the toll-free, time-saving connection to Sydney Airport, will open to traffic from the motorway network on Sunday 1 September.
The new five kilometres of motorway will transform access to the airport, saving motorists an estimated 17 minutes between the airport and the St Peters Interchange which connects to the M8, and the main routes to Western Sydney – the M5 and M4.
A driver joining the motorway network at Campbelltown, Liverpool, Penrith or Parramatta will now have a traffic light-free run all the way to the domestic terminal and just one traffic light into the international terminal at Sydney Airport.
Sydney Gateway, which employed 8000 workers over almost four years of construction, will also provide an alternative route for up to 10,000 trucks per day travelling to the airport and Port Botany, reducing the number of trucks on local streets in and around Mascot.
After the local traffic impacts that resulted from the opening of the Rozelle Interchange, motorists are urged to be as prepared as possible for how the new road works. Driver animations released in July provide a valuable guide of signage, lanes and exits on the new road.
For the first time on a big motorway project, signage and road markings were tested in advance with members of the public, resulting in 100 changes pre-opening.
Transport for NSW is conducting final commissioning this week and establishing a Joint Operations Centre at the Transport Management Centre to monitored and react to congestion and traffic incidents as the new motorway integrates with the network.
Sydney Airport will have in place kerb-side management measures at the international and domestic terminals to manage traffic flow through the airport.
Since November last year, the $2.6 billion Sydney Gateway has opened in stages to maximise construction efficiency and minimise disruption. This included the unveiling of the Deborah Lawrie Flyover into the airport’s domestic terminals, two stunning twin arch bridges close to the international terminal and a new and improved Airport Drive.
Minister for Roads John Graham said:
“A driver in Western Sydney joins the motorway network and the next set of traffic lights they stop at may well be in Melbourne, Brisbane – this is the real dividend of the toll-free Sydney Gateway.
“Sydney Metro was a transformational infrastructure project for Sydney and the opening of Gateway is now going to transform that familiar car trip to the airport, whether it is to depart on holidays, return on business or picking up the family.
“Transport for NSW is working closely with Sydney Airport for the smoothest start, but I urge all Sydney drivers to take a moment to familiarise themselves with the animations, know their route and expect some initial traffic impacts as fellow drivers also get familiarised
“I want to thank the 8000 workers who built Sydney Gateway, part of the most skilled and experienced infrastructure workforces we have in Australia or anywhere around the world.”
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said:
“There are always impacts when opening large infrastructure projects as drivers get used to new conditions.
“We have been working hard to ensure we are well prepared to welcome motorists onto the newest section of Sydney Gateway, with the Joint Operations Centre at the Transport Management Centre crucial to this.
“We want people to reap the benefits of the new road connections straight away, so we are eager for as many people as possible to watch the in-car driver animations as these provide a perfect opportunity to see what is coming before opening.
“The animations include the signage and road markings that drivers will see in the M8 tunnels and on the new adjoining surface roads, helping them to navigate the new routes to and from the Sydney Airport precinct.”