Construction of an 11km highway under the Blue Mountains is set to begin early next year.
Australia’s longest tunnel is set to be built between the Blue Mountains and Sydney’s West, New South Wales Deputy Premier Paul Toole has announced.
The 11km underground road will stretch from Blackheath to Little Hartley, reportedly saving commuters “up to 30 minutes during busy periods.”
Unlike many other roads in NSW, motorists won’t be charged to use the tunnel – with funding instead coming via the $8 billion Great Western Highway package.
Construction will reportedly begin early next year following a community consultation process, however a completion date is yet to be announced.
The M8 Motorway between Kingsgrove and St Peters is currently Australia’s longest tunnel, however the new project will exceed this by 22 per cent.
Sam Farraway – the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads – said the plan will open up the state’s west, improve safety, and reduce travel times.
“This … will help improve economic development, productivity and accessibility in and through the Blue Mountains, Central West, and Orana regions.
“It will improve the resilience of the state’s major road corridor … and will be built to accommodate future population growth west of the Blue Mountains.”
However not everyone is happy about the move, and yesterday Mackellar MP Jason Falinski labelled the development funding a “clear double standard.”
“People living in metro areas have to pay for roads, whereas people in rural and regional areas don’t,” Mr Falinski told the the Sydney Morning Herald.
“We’ve had a tolled road in the Harbour Bridge for almost 100 years now, so we’re used to paying for stuff – there’s clearly a double standard.”
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