WestConnex Tunnel grows by a kilometer
12 January 2015AUSTRALIA – Plans for the WestConnex Stage Three motorway tunnel in Sydney have been revised to include a 1km extension. Australia’s minister for roads and freight Duncan Gay revealed the changes last month.
Originally the alignment ran under Parramatta Road through Haberfield, Leichhardt and Petersham towards St Peters. Now the tunnel will follow the route of the existing City West Link Road, which Gay said was at capacity, before turning south to St Peters.
Despite increasing from 7km to 8km, the Australian government does not expect a cost increase, as fewer properties need to be acquired. It also alleged better operating efficiency. "Stage Three of WestConnex brings together the upgraded M4 and M5, it is the key to this project," Gay added.
Opposition parties criticised lack of detail in the plans, arguing that a mere route description provides no evidence of costs, or end-user benefits.
Stage Three is expected to open to traffic in 2023.
