By Julian Leeser
After many years of anticipation, NorthConnex finally opened at 2am on Saturday 31st of October 2020.
Federal Member for Berowra, Julian Leeser, has said NorthConnex will make a significant impact on the quality of life of people living along the transport corridor.
“For a generation our community has been calling for a solution to the traffic problems on Pennant Hills Rd.”
“NorthConnex will take up to 5,000 trucks off Pennant Hills Road every day. This will return Pennant Hills Road to our community and will enable people to travel through the area much more quickly,” said Julian Leeser.
“NorthConnex will not just save us time, but the reduction in freight travelling through our community will also mean improved safety, better air quality and a reduction in the noise pollution that affects people living and working along Pennant Hills Road.”
The twin 9 kilometre tunnels between the M1 at Wahroonga and M2 at West Pennant Hills will provide smoother and faster journeys along Pennant Hills Road and enable travelers to bypass 21 sets of traffic lights between the M1 and M2 motorways, completing the long-awaited “missing link” in the National Highway network.
NorthConnex will save people up to 15 minutes in the morning and evening commute, boosting productivity and giving people time back each week.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said NorthConnex had delivered thousands of jobs and now motorists would benefit for generations to come.
“NorthConnex is a game-changing significant piece of infrastructure that will allow journeys between Newcastle and Melbourne without stopping at a traffic light, and allow a complete bypass of suburban Sydney,” the Prime Minister said.
More than 17,000 people worked on the NorthConnex project and it is estimated that it will inject around $4 billion into the NSW and national economies.
The Australian and NSW Governments have also thanked the more than 20,000 residents living along the corridor for their cooperation and patience throughout work on the project.
NorthConnex is a $3 billion project which includes $577.3 million from the NSW Government, $412.3 million from the Australian Government, and $2 billion from Transurban and its private sector partners.
NorthConnex tolls are in line with the M2, at $7.99 for cars and $23.97 for heavy vehicles.
Toll Relief will apply. Drivers who spend an average of $26 a week over a year are entitled to free registration. Drivers who spend an average of $16 a week over a year are entitled to half price registration.
