World News – UA – NorthConnex $ 3 billion opening

NorthConnex will open up to motorists this weekend with the latest safety tests and checks underway on Sydney’s $ 3 billion megaproject that will change the way drivers travel across the city ​​

Sydney-siders will be able to bypass 21 traffic lights between the M1 and M2 motorways, completing the long-awaited ‘missing link’ in the national road network

The nine-kilometer twin tunnels between the M1 at Wahroonga and the M2 at West Pennant Hills will provide smoother and faster journeys along Pennant Hills Road and will also mean bypassing 40 sets of lights if using the Pacific Highway as a road to the CBD

This will save people up to 15 minutes in the morning and evening, increasing productivity and reducing congestion

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said NorthConnex has created thousands of jobs to support hard-working families and motorists will now benefit for generations to come

« NorthConnex is a revolutionary infrastructure that will allow drivers to travel between Newcastle and Melbourne without stopping at a traffic light, and a complete bypass of the Sydney suburbs, » said M Morrison

« This is one of the largest and most anticipated road infrastructure projects ever to be carried out in Australia »

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the project was a major job driver, creating around 8,700 jobs for the state

« The project is expected to inject around $ 4 billion into the economy and is proof of the government’s strong commitment to providing infrastructure and major jobs for the people of New South Wales, » Ms Berejiklian said

« About 300 businesses from the Western Sydney region and another 50 from the Central Coast also contributed to the project, highlighting the opportunities this project has created for local suppliers and entrepreneurs »

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge says Sydney motorists will soon reap the extraordinary benefits of the NorthConnex tunnels

« NorthConnex will strip up to 5,000 trucks a day from the famous Pennant Hills Road, which is one of the most congested roads in New South Wales, » said Mr. Tudge

« The safety benefits for so many families, which allow people to return home safely at the end of each day, are immeasurable »

New South Wales Transport and Roads Minister Andrew Constance says NorthConnex reaches depths of up to 90 meters, making it Australia’s deepest road tunnel

“Innovative lighting screens, first designed in Australia, will help drivers stay alert, with stunning landscapes, trees and native birds highlighting the transition from the rural environment of the north to the urban environment of the city, ”said M Constance

« NorthConnex will see improved air quality around Pennant Hills Road, safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists, and significant reduction in traffic noise – all issues that local residents desperately wanted. solve « 

The Governments of Australia and NSW also thanked the more than 20,000 residents living along the corridor for their cooperation and patience throughout the work on the project

NorthConnex is a $ 3 billion project that includes $ 577 million from the NSW government, $ 412 million from the Australian government and $ 2 billion from Transurban and its private sector partners

NorthConnex tolls are in line with the M2, at $ 7.99 for cars and $ 23.97 for heavy goods vehicles

Toll waiver will apply Drivers who spend an average of $ 26 per week over one year are eligible for free registration Drivers who spend an average of $ 16 per week over one year are eligible for half price registration

NorthConnex, Sydney, Tunnel, Gladys Berejiklian