WestConnex

WestConnex
New South Wales
General information
Type Motorway  (Under construction)
Length 33 km (21 mi)
Opened
  • M4 Widening – 2017 (expected)
  • M4 East – 2019 (expected)
  • M4-M5 Link – 2023 (expected)
  • New M5 – 2019 (expected)
Major junctions
West end
SE end
Location(s)
Major suburbs / towns North Strathfield, Taveners Hill, Camperdown, St Peters, Bexley North
Highway system
Highways in Australia
National Highway • Freeways in Australia
Highways in New South Wales

The WestConnex is a proposed 33 kilometres (21 mi) motorway in the western, inner western, and southern suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia that was announced in October 2012.[1] When announced, it was the "highest priority" infrastructure project for the state. The creation of WestConnex was one of the major points of agreement between two competing strategic transport reports, commissioned simultaneously by the NSW Government, from Infrastructure NSW and Transport for NSW.[2] Infrastructure Australia's approval of the business case was announced in February 2015,[3] although its assessment says "parts of the project do not have as much benefit as the motorway as a whole" and the business case was not released by the NSW Government.[4] Described as "the biggest transport project in Sydney since the Harbour Bridge" the benefits, problems, costs, popularity and alternative transport solutions have been the subject of much political debate.[5]

Justification

The New South Wales government claims the WestConnex motorway will bypass 52 sets of traffic lights along its full length, and cut the trip from Parramatta to the city by 25 minutes.[6] It is also viewed as an opportunity for developers to bring the benefits of high-rise apartments to Sydney's inner-west.

The WestConnex vision statement says: "The corridor from Broadway to Parramatta could be flanked by clusters of new apartments, commercial offices, institutional, recreation and community buildings of 6 to 8 storeys in some sections, with higher rise in some other areas."[7]

However, University of Technology traffic planner, Dr Michelle Zeibots, disputes the government's journey-reduction claims. Zeibots says WestConnex will make traffic congestion in Sydney worse, by causing pinch-points and bottlenecks. She says the ANZAC Bridge, which reached maximum traffic-carrying capacity in 2002, will not cope with the increased traffic that WestConnex will funnel onto it.[8] In 2002, Zeibots correctly predicted that Sydney's Cross City Tunnel would not reach its expected traffic flows, years before it fell into receivership due to low traffic flows.[9] She says that road speeds are determined not by how many lanes are added, but by the speed of the corresponding rail network.[10]

Alignment

The plan incorporates:[11]

  1. a widening of the existing M4 Motorway from Parramatta to North Strathfield from two or three lanes each way to four;
  2. a tunnel under Parramatta Road from Strathfield to Haberfield with connections to the City West Link (the "M4 East") ;
  3. a tunnel from Haberfield to St Peters with links to the Anzac Bridge (the "M4 to M5 link")
  4. a tunnel from Beverly Hills Tempe to St Peters (the "New M5")
  5. a new interchange at St Peters.

It includes a number of entry and exit points, including to the City Westlink at Haberfield, to Parramatta Road at Camperdown, and to Kingsford-Smith Airport at Mascot. It also proposes urban renewal along the Parramatta Road corridor of the project.

Construction

Construction of WestConnex has been planned in three stages.[12] Overall, across the entire project, distance-based tolling will be used similar to that on the Westlink M7. The average toll for motorists will be A$4.50 whilst the minimum will be A$1.50 and the maximum of which the price will be capped regardless of complete distance at A$7.35 (2013 dollars).

Stage 1: M4

The first stage of the project will provide a widened M4, from Church Street, Parramatta to near Concord Road and an extension of the M4 via a tunnel under the Parramatta Road corridor to Parramatta Road and City West Link, Haberfield.

The existing M4 Western Motorway between Parramatta and North Strathfield. Construction is to take place between 2015 and 2019. Federal Assistant Infrastructure Minister Jamie Briggs and NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay announced on 9 January 2015 that preparatory work will start in a late January 2015 on the A$500 million M4 Western Motorway widening, a key step in delivering the WestConnex motorway. Actual construction is expected to start in early February 2015 by the Rizzani De Eccher Leighton joint venture which has been contracted by the NSW Government to design and widen the 7.5-kilometre (4.7 mi) stretch of the M4 between James Ruse Drive at Parramatta and Parramatta Road at North Strathfield which is expected to open in early 2017. The project will widen the M4 Motorway to four lanes in each direction between Parramatta and Homebush and include ramp upgrades such as new direct access from Homebush Bay Drive to the M4 westbound. The M4 Western Motorway will continue to run as normal.[13] The widened stretch of road will be tolled following the completion. It is expected that the toll will be distance-based (in line with the Westlink M7) with a minimum of A$1.50 and maximum of A$3.90 (2013 dollars).[14]

The long proposed M4 East will provide a tunnel with three lanes in each direction along the Parramatta Road route from the M4 Western Motorway to Parramatta Road and the City West Link at Haberfield. It will ultimately remove congestion along Parramatta Road including heavy vehicles allowing easier local travel. Construction is expected to take place between 2016 and 2019. Urban revitilisation will occur along Parramatta Road, making it a better place to live, work and socialise. The M4 East tunnel will start around 800m west of Concord Rd. The current M4 exits to Concord and Parramatta Roads will be retained. A distance-based tolling system, similar to that of the Westlink M7 will be used with a minimum of A$2.00 and a maximum A$3.60 (2013 dollars).[14]

Stage 2: New M5

The second stage of the project, the New M5 will run from the existing M5 East corridor at Beverley Hills via a tunnel to St Peters providing greater access to the airport, South Sydney and Port Botany precincts. Stage 2 was accelerated in May 2014 following a historic agreement between the Australian and New South Wales Governments. Construction is set to take place between 2015 and 2019.

The second stage will start with the upgrading of the M5 – King Georges Road interchange. The duplication of the M5 East corridor will improve travel times and reliability for the 100,000 motorists which use this key route every day. It will allow for improved movement of freight to and from the Port Botany area and provide an express route between Western Sydney and Sydney Airport once the entire WestConnex project is completed. Distance-based tolling, like the Westlink M7 will be used, with a minimum of A$1.70 and a maximum of A$4.80 (2013 dollars).

Stage 3: M4-M5 Link

The final stage of the project will deliver a motorway tunnel with three lanes in each direction between the first two stages, linking the M4 and M5 corridors together. Construction is set to take place between 2019 and 2023.

The tunnel alignment will continue to support the reduction of traffic on Parramatta Road enabling urban renewal, and in addition will support the NSW Government's proposed future Western Harbour Tunnel and will help provide a much needed western bypass of the CBD. It will generally travel north of Parramatta Road corridor from Haberfield with connections at Rozelle before heading south near Camperdown and connect to St Peters Interchange. Distance-based tolling will be used on the tunnel with a minimum of A$1.80 and maximum of A$4.10 (2013 dollars).

Funding

Expected to cost A$10 billion,[15] the project also incorporates the existing M4 East and M5 duplication projects and will include portions of distance-based tolls.[16]

During a March 2013 pre-election tour of Western Sydney, Prime Minister Gillard declared that the federal government would provide financial support for the project so long as "...planning currently underway identified a 'detailed business case' and ensured direct routes through to the CBD and Port Botany – to connect motorists with the city and take freight directly from the M5 to Port Botany." Premier O'Farrell criticised this offer as "...asking for additional elements at a cost of between A$5 billion and $8 billion, when the reports of the federal offer were only at the A$1 billion mark."[17] In the leadup to the 2013 Australian federal budget it was reported that the government would allocate A$1.8 billion for the project, A$300 million more than the amount promised by the opposition. This funding arrangement is based on the proviso that existing roads that would be upgraded as part of the WestConnex project remain toll-free, thus restricting tolling to new sections of road. The state government declared the condition "stunt".[18][19]

Support

WestConnex received support from third party organisations, such as the National Roads and Motoring Organisation, which argued that it would help improve transport in Sydney's west[20] and complete a plan from 1947.[21] On 3 October 2012, press releases in support of the "missing motorway" were issued by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia,[22] Sydney Business Chamber[23] and the Sydney Airport Corporation.[24]

Criticism

The scheme has been criticised by citizens and experts on the grounds of practicality, relevance, funding, environmental impact, consequences for residents along its route, process irregularity as well as for disregarding adequate funding for improved public transport".[25][26][27] The sustainability of WestConnex has been challenged on the grounds that it is an outdated solution, that demand needs to be managed better rather than increasing supply because commuter travel patterns and preferences are changing rapidly.[28] A report for the City of Sydney concluded the project was the "wrong transport project for Sydney's future" because of financial risk, insufficient demand and that current land use trends mean public transport is needed.[29]

An earlier plan called the M4 East, which was to be a motorway with a similar alignment to Stage 1 of WestConnex, was also criticised by one of Britain's top transport planners, Jim Steer. Steer, who was commissioned by the N.S.W. government to report on the M4 East, said in his report that the motorway would cause traffic chaos. He said it would cause a pinch-point at the ANZAC bridge, causing traffic chaos across Sydney, with any advantages planned for Parramatta Road destroyed by the extra traffic demand that would result.[30]

The secrecy surrounding the business case is one of source of hostility to the proposal that emerged in parts of inner west Sydney.[4] Leichhardt Council has an on-line petition against the WestConnex Motorway[31] and St Peter's residents expressed anger about the lack of an environmental impact statement.[32] The Auditor-General's report, called "by far the most damning appraisal of a government initiative"[33] noted the failure of Infrastructure NSW to implement the government's protocols requiring independent, regular "gateway" reviews; instead of the requisite six, there was one unsatisfactory one.[27]

The Director the urban design program at the University of Sydney said there needs to be a serious capacity public transport system and commented that if the disruption of WestConnex went ahead, "you would definitely do it two levels", one for a motorway and one for a train line.[34][35]

See also

Australian roads portal

References

  1. ↑ "WestConnex". Have Your Say. NSW Government Sydney Motorways Project Office. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Shakibaei, Bambul (10 October 2012). "Transport for NSW vs Infrastructure NSW". Transport Sydney. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  3. ↑ 2014–2015 Assessment Brief
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Saulwick, Jacob (28 February 2015). "WestConnex: Infrastructure Australia gives thumbs up to motorway's business case". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Saulwick, Jacob (14 March 2015). "What you need to know about WestConnex, the biggest road we've ever seen". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  6. ↑ "Abbott gives WestConnex green light". Business Spectator. September 19, 2013.
  7. ↑ "The Vision". WestConnex Delivery Authority. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  8. ↑ Ranby, Lester (February 1, 2014). "WestConnex – destined to fail". The Stringer (Perth).
  9. ↑ Gibbs, Stephen (28 February 2002). "Cross City tunnel deeper, longer ... and twice the price". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  10. ↑ Zeibots, Michelle (18 February 2014). "New motorway will derail commuters". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  11. ↑ "WestConnex: Explore the Route". Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  12. ↑ WestConnex: Project stages
  13. ↑ Delivering WestConnex: M4 Widening work approved to start WestConnex 9 January 2015
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 WestConnex: FAQ
  15. ↑ "Sydney's Next Motorway Priority (PDF)". WestConnex. haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au. p. 5. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  16. ↑ Clennell, Andrew; Alicia Wood (3 October 2012). "$2 billion paves a new motorway". The Australian. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  17. ↑ Ireland, Judith. "PM's Sydney motorway funds come with strings". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  18. ↑ "WestConnex funding promise erupts into political row". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  19. ↑ Needham, Kristy (12 May 2013). "'What a stunt': NSW Treasurer slams Gillard government on West Connex road plan". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  20. ↑ Leggett, Cie'Jai (3 October 2012). "West Connex will get Sydney moving". The National Roads and Motorists' Association. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  21. ↑ Stuart, Tony (15 October 2012). "After 65 years it really is time to get on with it". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  22. ↑ "NSW brings forward congestion busting motorway projects". Infrastructure partnerships Australia. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  23. ↑ "Sydney Business Chamber welcomes Infrastructure NSW plan". Sydney Business Chamber. 3 October 2012.
  24. ↑ "Sydney Airport welcomes Infrastructure NSW report". Sydney Airport. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  25. ↑ Nicholls, Sean; Jacob Saulwick (6 October 2012). "Motorway plan isn't free of potholes". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  26. ↑ Carr, Kate (27 July 2013). "Critics fear West Connex will have consequences for Wolli Creek ValleyFestival highlights threat to bushland". The Leader. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Farrelly, Elizabeth (29 January 2015). "WestConnex: the road to ruin is paved with more roads". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  28. ↑ Gilchrist, Gavin (24 February 2015). "Costly WestConnex solution gold-plates outdated transport systems". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  29. ↑ Saulwick, Jacob (23 February 2015). "WestConnex: the wrong project for Sydney, report says – 'invest in public transport instead'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  30. ↑ Besser, Linton (31 July 2008). "Tollway tipped to create traffic chaos". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  31. ↑ WestConnex/Parramatta Road Urban Renewal Leichhardt Council Retrieved 15 December 2014
  32. ↑ Gainsford, Jim (25 January 2015). "WestConnex letters anger St Peters residents". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  33. ↑ "Baird government's dismissal of Hehir report alarming". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 January 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  34. ↑ Saulwick, Jacob (16 February 2015). "Call for debate over Sydney Trains: Bankstown Line or Parramatta Metro?". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  35. ↑ Rod Simpson – Improving Transport Information (video)

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