First stage of WestConnex opens to public

The widened New M4 is now open to Sydney traffic, marking a major milestone in Australia’s largest infrastructure project – WestConnex.

The upgraded corridor provides four lanes in each direction between Paramatta and Homebush, following the gradual opening of sections as they have been completed.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian inspected the widened New M4 at Auburn this week.

“After a massive 4.3 million hours worked, we have got the first section of WestConnex open, but there’s much more to come with the New M4 tunnels now more than half excavated,” Ms. Berejiklian said.

“More than 100,000 vehicles a day currently use the M4, which is congested for up to 13 hours a day, costing taxpayers and businesses billions of dollars each year in time delays and lost productivity.”

WestConnex is a part of the NSW Government’s $73 billion infrastructure program to tackle congestion and ease the freight task across Sydney’s west.

A distance-based toll of between $1.77 and $4.56 will be implemented on the widened section of the M4 between Parramatta and Homebush including the new eastbound on-ramp at Hill Road, from 15 August 2017 following a one month toll-free period.

By early 2019, the widened section of the New M4 will connect to the New M4 tunnels currently under construction, creating a traffic-light-free connection between Parramatta and the City West Link at Haberfield.