Sydney drivers, we’ve got good news. Big progress is being made on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, and from tomorrow (Friday, September 5), 10,000 motorists a day will have a new southbound route to the city via the Cahill Expressway. The new 46-metre underpass will provide a dedicated citybound connection for motorists travelling from the Warringah Freeway to the City East, Airport and Eastern Suburbs. Here’s what we know so far.
For context, the Warringah Freeway is an enabling project for the major Western Harbour Tunnel project – the first new harbour crossing to be built in Sydney in 30 years. Once they’re both complete, the roads will create a game-changing link between Sydney’s north and west, and both airport precincts (including the new Western Sydney Airport). In its current form, the Warringah Freeway is one of the busiest roads in Australia, with around 250,000 vehicles and 150,000 bus passengers using it each day.
A new key link in the city, the Mount Street underpass will reduce a whole heap of congestion on the Waringah Freeway, with a dedicated southbound bus lane (opening next year) on track to help even more – giving buses an uninterrupted journey down the freeway to the city.
The 46-metre underground tunnel came to life thanks to advanced engineering technology, which allowed the space to be excavated in just 22 days (a project of this scale would usually take upwards of 60 days, according to Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison, who has described the underpass as a “critical upgrade”.
“The Mount Street underpass is the latest, vital piece of the Warringah Freeway puzzle which will help to make the Freeway more reliable and efficient, and an easier and safer road to drive on. More than 10,000 cars a day will use the underpass and take advantage of the benefits it will deliver.” explained Aitchison.
To access the Mount Street underpass, drivers should keep left on the Warringah Freeway and take the newly opened section of the Kirribilli exit (Alfred Street North), following signs to the Cahill Expressway.
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