Recognising the need for a high quality link between the M2 Motorway and the F3, the Australian Government commissioned and funded a feasibility study into options. Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) coordinated the study on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) was commissioned in early 2002 to conduct the study.

The study area extended from the F3 at Kariong on the Central Coast to the northern section of the Sydney Orbital Road network and from Dean Park in the west to the M2 in the east.

The study was completed and a preferred corridor for the new link announced by the Australian Government on 6 May 2004. The preferred option effectively replaces Pennant Hills Road, running from the F3 at Wahroonga to the M2 between North Rocks and Cheltenham.

According to the SKM study the preferred eight kilometre route between the F3 and the Sydney Orbital Network, which would effectively replace Pennant Hills Road, was the option best meeting the Federal and NSW governments goals. It would maintain an efficient and effective National Highway route through Sydney, best meet environmental concerns, economic and inter-regional goals and address the performance of the existing road corridor.

For more information regarding the study, go to the SKM website.