The project will deliver approximately 9km of two‐lane twin tunnels with capacity to operate three lanes in the future.
The New M5 will run via tunnel from the existing M5 East at Kingsgrove to a new interchange at St Peters, improving east‐west corridor access between the Sydney central business district, Port Botany and Sydney Airport precincts and the south west growth areas.
The new M5 tunnel section forms Stage 2 of WestConnex, Australia’s largest integrated transport and urban development project. The project delivery is being managed by Sydney Motorway Corporation (SMC), on behalf of the NSW government.
Leighton Contractors managing director Román Garrido said: “Delivery of the new M5 tunnel will provide a high quality link in Sydney’s road network operations, which will double the capacity of the M5 East corridor. Working closely with SMC our experienced team is contributing innovative design solutions and construction methodologies to enhance the motorway’s efficient construction and operations as well as community and environmental outcomes.”
Subject to completion of the project’s approval process, major works are expected to begin in mid‐2016 and the New M5 tunnel is scheduled to open to traffic in late 2019.
WestConnex is being delivered in three stages, with final completion scheduled for 2023.
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