C
Community consultation
- During construction there were 130 meetings held (up until February 2007) with construction community liaison groups.
- There were over 700 notifications (including advertising, letters, project newsletters) issued.
(Source: TJH)
Construction facts and engineering innovations
- 25,000 cubic metres of concrete pavement has been laid.
- 450 truck loads of concrete have gone into making the shared pedestrian/cycleway.
- 27 kilometres of new line markings.
- 10,000 tonnes of new asphalt laid.
- 16 kilometres of new kerb and guttering constructed.
- Over 50 significant traffic switches have taken place – we appreciate the patience of motorists.
(Source: TJH)
Cost to construct
- $1.1 billion
(Source: Connector Motorway website)
Cyclists
There will be a continuous cycleway from North Ryde to Naremburn that forms part of a key regional bicycle route north-west of Sydney Harbour.
D
Depth of tunnel
- On average the tunnel is 30 metres below the natural surface. At Stringybark Creek it is 16 metres below the creek bed.
Description of the project
The project includes:
- Twin 3.6km two-lane tunnels, with three lanes provided in long sections to improve safety and traffic flow for tunnel users.
- A seamless connection between the M2 Motorway and the Gore Hill Freeway, bypassing 5 sets of traffic lights.
- The eastbound tunnel begins as two lanes, with a third lane from about 1.1km into the tunnel. This lane will carry traffic to an exit on to the Pacific Highway and a new transit lane on the Gore Hill Freeway.
- The westbound tunnel is three lanes for almost its entire length, with two lanes from the beginning of the tunnel on the Gore Hill Freeway with a third lane from the connection of the Pacific Highway entry ramp traffic with the main tunnel. This avoids the need for traffic to merge in the tunnel itself.
- An additional lane in each direction on the Gore Hill Freeway is to be provided. These will be general traffic lanes for the first 11 months after tunnel opening and then marked as transit lanes.
- New north-facing ramps at Falcon Street providing tolled access to and from the Warringah Freeway.
- A new Falcon Street exit ramp from the city with the old ramp converted to a bus only ramp.
- A 7.5 km continuous cycleway from Wicks Road, North Ryde to Naremburn (on completion)
E
Entrances and exits
- Western main tunnel entry and exit: On Epping Road near Mowbray Road West intersection.
- Eastern main tunnel entry and exit: On the Gore Hill Freeway just after the Reserve Road exit.
- Entry ramp: On the Pacific Highway near Alto Place, Artarmon.
- Exit ramp: To Pacific Highway via a loop ramp.
Environmental benefits
- 400,000 new plants as part of the landscaping.
- 3 kilometres of noise walls either constructed or relocated as part of the Gore Hill Freeway widening to minimise noise impacts for residents.
- Approx 35,000 square metres of low noise pavement has laid on Gore Hill Freeway.
(Source: Connector Motorway website/TJH)
F
Funding
- Connector Motorway was contracted to design, construct, maintain and operate the tunnel. After a 33 year concession period, tunnel ownership will revert to the NSW Government.
Forecast traffic
- Approximately 6800 vehicles/hr during morning peak are expected to use tunnel.
- Approximately 9380 vehicles/hr during evening peak are expected to use tunnel.
- There is predicted to be a reduction of up to 60% in peak traffic volumes on Epping Road and Longueville Road (source: Lane Cove Tunnel Environment Impact Statement, October 2001).
H
Height clearance in the tunnel
- 4.4m vertical clearance for vehicles. This will accommodate most trucks, B-doubles etc.
J
Jobs created during construction
- Approximately 8500. (Source: Thiess John Holland induction records)
L
Lanes
- Eastbound – There are two lanes with a third starting just over 1km into the tunnel and providing an exit to Pacific Highway and new Gore Hill Freeway transit lane.
- Westbound – project has two lanes westbound at the Gore Hill Freeway entry and widens to three lanes at the Pacific Highway entry ramp.
M
Motorists
- Tunnel bypasses five sets of traffic lights on Epping Road.
- Direct link to Sydney’s Orbital network.
- Two additional lanes across Lane Cove River Bridge.
- Addition of two transit lanes to the Gore Hill Freeway.
- Additional access to Warringah Freeway from Falcon Street.
- Widened Pacific Highway.
O
Opening date
- The Lane Cove Tunnel is scheduled for completion in May 2007.
P
Public transport
Improved public transport outcomes have been requested by the community since the project was considered.
Provision for public transport includes:
- Buses providing public transport are exempt from tolls.
- Express buses will use the tunnel.
- Bus lanes have been incorporated into the new plan for Epping Road.
- New bus interchange at Longueville Road/Parklands Avenue.
- Improved bus priority along Pacific Highway.
Pedestrians
There will be a new pedestrian bridge over Longueville Road linking the Lane Cove shopping area with new bus interchange.
S
Start of construction
Construction of the Lane Cove Tunnel commenced in June 2004.
T
Travel time savings
Morning peak period:
- Macquarie Park to CBD – 8 minutes (31%)
- Macquarie Park to North Sydney – 8 minutes (40%)
- Macquarie Park to Cremorne – 15 minutes (52%)
Afternoon peak period:
- CBD to Macquarie Park – 17 minutes (49%)
- North Sydney to Macquarie Park – 17 minutes (57%)
- Cremorne to Macquarie Park – 23 minutes (56%)
(Source: Project Overview, Lane Cove Tunnel and Associated Improvements, RTA November 2001)
Tunnelling
Nine road header machines excavated the tunnels. The machines weighed up to 140 tonnes and excavated approximately 6 lineal metres per day. Excavated material ran on a conveyor belt to waiting trucks that removed it from the tunnel.
W
Who is building the tunnel?
Connector Motorway was contracted to design, construct, maintain and operate the Tunnel.
Motorways Pty Ltd (formerly known as Lane Cove Tunnel Company Pty Ltd) is a privately owned, special purpose company created solely for the Lane Cove Tunnel Project.
Connector Motorways shareholders are:
- AMP Capital Investors
- Cheung Kong Infrastructure (CKI)
- John Holland
- Li Ka Shing (Overseas) Foundation
- Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA)
- Thiess
- Westscheme
Connector Motorways engaged Thiess John Holland to design and construct the project; and Transfield Services to maintain and operate the tunnel.
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