The game-changing NorthConnex project has taken another step toward completion with a new 50-metre-long bridge opening to motorists travelling southbound on the M1 Pacific Motorway at Wahroonga.
Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said the opening of this bridge is the result of more than two years of planning and marks another major milestone for the $3 billion NorthConnex project.
“When complete, NorthConnex will take around 5,000 trucks off Pennant Hills Road every day and return Pennant Hills Road to local traffic, while motorists using the tunnel will save up to 15 minutes travel time by bypassing up to 21 traffic lights along Pennant Hills Road,” Mr Fletcher said.
“Already, thousands of commuters from the Central Coast can observe the significant work being carried out at the end of the M1 Motorway in the knowledge that improved travel times into Sydney are on the horizon.”
New South Wales Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said motorists approaching the M1 Pennant Hills Road intersection would now be directed onto a new 400-metre lane.
“By relocating southbound traffic, the construction team are able to continue to excavate the new tunnel entry and exit points beneath the bridge without disruption to M1 motorists travelling above,” Mr Constance said.
“The bridge has quickly taken shape in the last few weeks with asphalting, barrier installation and line marking, while work to build the new Northern Interchange is also progressing at pace.”
Federal Member for Berowra Julian Leeser said local motorists were eagerly awaiting the project’s opening.
“This will transform our local area, helping local drivers to spend more time with their families and less time in traffic,” Mr Leeser said.
State Hornsby MP Matt Kean said the project will make a massive change to local commuters.
“This is about returning local streets to local communities, and making sure we improve transport options for North West and Central Coast,” Mr Kean said.