Project Description
This project comprised the construction of dual road tunnels, approximately 9km in length, beneath Pennant Hills Road and the Northern Railway Line linking the M1 and M2 Motorways. Each of the tunnels has been built with a capacity for three lanes.
Benefits
The benefits of the NorthConnex project include:
reduction in traffic congestion on Pennant Hills Road and surrounding traffic network
quicker travel times between the M1 and the M2
a reduction in operating costs for national freight carriers and long-distance transport operators
a reduction in heavy traffic and associated noise in local streets
an improvement in local air quality
improved safety and productivity on local, intrastate and interstate freight movements
increased infrastructure capacity and efficiency
improved reliability of travel between the M1 and M2 and the Sydney to Brisbane Corridor
Funding
The Australian and NSW governments have each committed $412.3 million towards the NorthConnex project, including the use of Hornsby Quarry for spoil management.
The project was delivered in partnership with the project's private sector sponsors, Transurban and the Westlink M7 Shareholders.
Timetable
Planning approval was received on 13 January 2015, along with submission and acceptance of the final binding offer as part of the Unsolicited Proposals process.
The NSW Government, Transurban and the Westlink M7 Shareholders reached Contract and Financial Close on 31 January 2015, which included acceptance of the final offer from the preferred tenderer and reaching final agreement on funding. Lend Lease Bouygues Joint Venture was awarded the contract to design and build the project following Contract Close.
Construction started on 5 February 2015. Excavation of all mainline tunnels was completed in November 2018. The project opened to traffic in October 2020.
Photo Gallery Pennant Hills Rd Minister Tudge at the final tunnel breakthrough Related Links NorthConnex project website
NorthConnex - Hornsby Quarry
