M4 to M8 Westconnex link opening this Friday

[Henry]

Hey all,

The opening of the M4 to M8 Motorway link as part of the Westconnex is opening this Friday: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/new-7-5km-westconnex-tunnels-set-to-open-under-inner-west-20230118-p5cdlq.html

This is the section between the Haberfield and St Peters interchanges. The Rozelle interchange and the Iron Cove link are still under construction and is expected to open later this year.

Henry

[Nihat]

Yep very quick opening. Those connecting projects and Sydney Gateway will really complete the links and make it much more worthwhile. 

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Aussie Highways" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to aussie-highwa...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/caa758bc-6006-4d32-86b0-e81410284651n%40googlegroups.com.

[Vincent]

This will be a great step for the Sydney Orbital Network. I had to get to the airport from North Strathfield on Tuesday and there was a bit of mucking around to get down King Georges Road and the M5 - fortunately there wasn't much traffic but it would be a real pain if something went wrong.

What I can't figure out is how you'd get to the airport from the end of the M8. As far as I can see you get deposited onto Gardeners Road, then you have to do a dog-leg through Kent/Coward/Bourke/O'Riordan? Seems a bit counter-intuitive after all of that new motorway, or is that going to be fixed by one of these new WestConnex sections?

At any rate, I'm looking forward to seeing a drive-through of the new tunnels when someone gets a chance.

Cheers,

Vincent

[Nihat]

Yep there's a few traffic lights to get through, those intersections have been upgraded I think but not ideal having to wait about a year until Sydney Gateway is complete to get free flow access to the terminals. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/f0826500-42d5-450d-8f4b-2b77e932a861n%40googlegroups.com.

[davis]

Or to be more explicit about Vincent's question, the "Sydney Gateway" is the additional WestConnex section that connects to the airport. It has a leg on the stack interchange at St Peters and uses the F6 surface corridor to continue reach the Alexandria Canal and then takes over Qantas Drive.

https://caportal.com.au/rms/sydney-gateway/wa-map

That's as distinct from the other WestConnex/connection projects under construction - Rozelle interchange, "M6 stage 1" (terrible name) tunnel, Western Harbour Tunnel

[Henry Ung]

This Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALqPcdIL1Es shows the tunnels in both directions.

It was filmed on the day that it opened.

The road signs are difficult to see in the video even in 4K which is understandable being in a tunnel driving at 80 km/h.

The WestConnex is a cheaper motorway route from the western suburbs to the airport or to the city.

It will be a lot better once the Rozelle interchange and Sydney Gateway are open.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/7a3283d0-1b8a-4bda-9952-7bea462622afn%40googlegroups.com.

[Nihat]

The road signs on Westconnex when driving are pretty easy to see, they are backlit. Unlike other tunnels which have standard signage, which are harder to see. Northconnex uses backlit as well but the "left lane ends" signs on the onramps are not for some reason.  

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/CAAfCGGLwj2bA2%3DMGJj%2B11uja1%3DgK9b8t%2BTFFPNbV-zuQkOEG4A%40mail.gmail.com.

[Sam L]

Did the braided ramps at the Wattle Street on-ramp (eastbound) and Rozelle Interchange on-ramp (westbound) get built in the end? It was hard to tell with all the lane gains and drops in the tunnel but my initial thought was no...?

---

From: aussie-...@googlegroups.com <aussie-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of davis <hornet...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, 21 January 2023 1:26 PM
To: Aussie Highways <aussie-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Aussie Highways] M4 to M8 Westconnex link opening this Friday

 

[davis]

Nup. Exit gore is at 2:30 in the video. Looks like the final design is 3 lane M4 east + 1 lane enter from Wattle St = 4 lanes. This continue through to the Rozelle interchange diverge where it splits 2 + 2.

There's no ramp braiding between with any main junctions: similarly at St Peters the mainline splits 2(+1)+2 and at the F6 tunnels it splits 2+2

[Daniel Knott]

Not that i've been through it, but I'm pretty sure they haven't. They only ever seemed to appear in the EIS design maps.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Aussie Highways" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to aussie-highwa...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/SL2P216MB1946444F0BDCB14C60AA8C16B1DF9%40SL2P216MB1946.KORP216.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM.

[Hubert Lam]

I'm now a semi regular user of the M4-M8 extensions, and couldn't wait for the Sydney Gateway to at least, partially open.

From the wording on the Factsheet, it seems that it'll open in various stages:

1. Airport Drive replacement (Domestic to International, in that direction)

2. Airport Drive replacement (International to Domestic, in that direction)

3. Flyover to Domestic Terminal

4. St Peters Interchange connection

And yes the signage from Gardeners Road to the Domestic/International Terminals is atrocious. You wouldn't be able to tell you need to turn right into Kent Road first 😂 However, that should only be temporary.

Very exciting to have the Rozelle Interchange opening within a few months too! These two final pieces of the puzzle will really unlock the full potential of the WCX project.

Motorway project Westconnex Rozelle Interchange set to open within months | 9 News Australia - YouTube

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/CACxOK4%2B548EXiC7FQWDJRyuE5h3Yt2M1SNRxw17APXepmpd6Hg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Hubert Lam]

What's even more interesting is that once the Sydney Gateway/Rozelle Interchange both open, the quickest way to the City from the Airport would probably be via the Sydney Gateway/M8 and exiting at the Rozelle Interchange, and on to the City West Link. It's not a travel route most people would associate with, as it's a brand new route with almost no current alternative in terms of the areas you pass through - navigating from the Airport to the west of the CBD atm would generally be a total nightmare, having to pass through Newtown.

(The driver videos on the Sydney Gateway interactive portal still seem to indicate the quickest way to the City is via O'Riordan St etc 😂)

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/f0826500-42d5-450d-8f4b-2b77e932a861n%40googlegroups.com.

[#130km/hforthehume]

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/thousands-stung-for-speeding-on-motorway-despite-consensus-limit-is-too-low-20230625-p5djak.html came out three days ago.

I still don't know why the 3-lane tunnels (both M4 East and M4–M8 link) with wide shoulders can't handle 90 km/h. It would definitely reduce fatigue.

[Nihat]

let's see what the review says. road tunnels have always been 80 limited just like open highways 110. given it is a variable limit i don't see why it can't be lifted to 90 especially during low traffic volumes. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/525b2f4e-cd49-4f81-856d-734a417a820en%40googlegroups.com.

[Hubert Lam]

The blockwork walls that currently exist on the Rozelle Interchange eastbound exit (where the M4 will be rerouted)/eastbound entrance to the M8 are about to be demolished:

https://caportal.com.au/tfnsw/wcxri/news-archive?hview=post-32ddab-rozelle-interchange-weekly-update-from-monday-9-october

My punt: the Rozelle Interchange will be open some time in mid November?

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/CAMNj_vy_bTbg3VOzmH_Zx14Sthc2b0ArzeLuVyxDL7mnkH75qA%40mail.gmail.com.

[#130km/hforthehume]

Looks like it. Can't wait for Rozelle Intg to open!

[Nihat]

Rozelle interchange drive through: https://caportal.com.au/tfnsw/inner-west/rozelle-interchange

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/2f3e804f-9b2e-4386-bfc3-ed3e1501aed7n%40googlegroups.com.

[#130km/hforthehume]

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5IIOj6S9c0, it seems that Victoria Rd will keep the A40 designation, while Iron Cove Link will be Sydney's next unnumbered motorway and the first to have no number or name signed.

You can at least hope this is all temporary.

[Henry]

The Iron Cove to Anzac Bridge link has signage to the city as A4 according to their animation.

Even the intersection between Victoria Road and City West Link still has Anzac Bridge and onwards as A4.

I suppose M4 is signed to and from the Victoria Road / City West Link intersection.

This leaves a short section of A4 on the Anzac Bridge and Western Distributor.

[Jason Kumar]

This signage will likely be confusing to those who are looking for Victoria Rd given there's no mention of it on either of the signs.

Jason

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/b485b16b-fd27-4d29-a44a-b2229cf41a52n%40googlegroups.com.

[#130km/hforthehume]

This also doesn't make sense since the A4 is fully freeway-grade east of Vic Rd.

[Sam L]

As if not signing the 'Tunnel' as A40 wasn't stupid enough, there are several signs that say 'To Victoria Rd' with no mention of A40. FFS!

---

From: aussie-...@googlegroups.com <aussie-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of #130km/hforthehume <thenorthernt...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 31 October 2023 7:50 PM

To: Aussie Highways <aussie-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Aussie Highways] M4 to M8 Westconnex link opening this Friday

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/b485b16b-fd27-4d29-a44a-b2229cf41a52n%40googlegroups.com.

[#130km/hforthehume]

Which is a big deal since the entire purpose of Iron Cove Link was to revitalise Victoria Rd and make it a local road. The route numbers are critically important here since the A40 on Vic Rd conveys that Victoria Road is the primary road between Drummoyne and Western Dist., not Iron Cove Link, antithetical to the tunnel's purpose.

[Hubert Lam]

The irony is that if it does get switched to the Iron Cove Link, it's actually freeway grade there but wouldn't quite make sense to make it M40 for such a short section?

Alternatively, maybe they'll do what was done with the NorthConnex: it might turn into a new "M" route, three years down the track 😅

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/22a06136-cacc-493d-b661-728aa75d127bn%40googlegroups.com.

[Nihat]

agreed and that "exit" sign does not look good at all. if only they had provided the directional signage for feedback we could have assisted with suggestions.  

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/SL2P216MB19465B64933DC105F532DB58B1A7A%40SL2P216MB1946.KORP216.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM.

[#130km/hforthehume]

I always thought those exit signs were there if an exit number were to be added in the future.

[AlienChex]

I hope that’s just an error the animators made, in reality the best option would’ve been to signpost A40 onto Iron Cove Link, use big “A40 TO VICTORIA ROAD, Drummoyne Ryde” focal point to inform drivers. Then the old section of Victoria road can one day be renamed to a more local name when it is transformed into a local boulevard like they initially planned

On Tuesday, 31 October 2023 at 10:50:15 pm UTC+11 #130km/hforthehume wrote:

[Henry Ung]

What is also confusing is that sign is next to the existing Victoria Road intersection.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/45bfbcdb-3e9c-44c8-b1d9-5b22ccbf86aen%40googlegroups.com.

[Hubert Lam]

Victoria Lane 🤣

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/45bfbcdb-3e9c-44c8-b1d9-5b22ccbf86aen%40googlegroups.com.

[davis]

White Bay Valley Way

On Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 2:24:48 PM UTC+11 Hubert Lam wrote:

Victoria Lane 🤣

[Hubert Lam]

November 24 is the earliest possible opening date:

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/opening-date-revealed-for-sydney-s-underground-spaghetti-junction-20231109-p5eipo.html#Echobox=1699511891

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Aussie Highways" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to aussie-highwa...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/eb614823-7aca-443a-8ae9-1372b4119412n%40googlegroups.com.

[Henry]

The Crescent overpass has opened a few days ago: https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/rozelle-interchange-a-virtual-reality

I drove past it yesterday on the City West link to Anzac Bridge but not on the overpass itself.

The 2 lanes from the City West Link merges to one lane, with one lane from the Crescent overpass added on just before the Victoria Rd underpass.

This seems to be the permanent arrangement. I can only imagine traffic from City West link to Anzac Bridge will be quite busy for a weeks until the Rozelle interchange opens.

Although in saying that a lot of traffic will try to avoid the toll.

[Nihat]

Not sure why they opened it so early given the traffic as you mentioned. I saw on the herald video this overpass is really just because of the future harbour tunnel. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/99db5dc1-9ce3-4f8c-952f-40ff7bbeecb5n%40googlegroups.com.

[JR]

I tried the overpass this week - it works well, but the timing for the lights at the Johnston St/The Crescent intersection hadn't been fixed properly, and was only letting a couple of cars through on each green light, which meant traffic was significantly banked up on Johnston Street towards Annandale (and worse than it was before the overpass opened).

The City West Link merge from 2 lanes to 1 prior to the Victoria Road underpass is also creating significant traffic congestion - I don't know why they couldn't worked out a better way of merging the traffic there (particularly as you'll still get traffic trying to avoid the toll even after the Rozelle Interchange opens, and traffic from Haberfield/Leichhardt/Lilyfield/Rozelle etc. that can't use Westconnex still has to use the CWL).

Does anyone know how the lane merges in the eastbound direction will work on the Anzac Bridge when the Rozelle Interchange opens? - seems like there's 2 lanes from Westconnex, 1 from the CWL, 1 from the Johnston St overpass and 2 or 3 from Victoria Road that all have to merge into 4 on the bridge.

[Henry Ung]

For east bound traffic from left to right:

Lanes 1 and 2 - from M4 tunnel

Lane 3 - CWL

Lane 4 - Existing Victoria Road

As mentioned earlier CWL will merge from 2 to 1. An added lane from the Crescent overpass so 2 lanes under the existing Victoria Rd underpass, and then somehow becomes lanes 3 and 4. The current Victoria Road merges to 1 lane, which is lane 4.

Keep in mind the Iron Cove link to Anzac Bridge is toll free. This leads to the M4 tunnel and then onto lanes 1 and 2.

You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "Aussie Highways" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/aussie-highways/TJUDOT91vxA/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to aussie-highwa...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/713f3eb9-bbda-4c28-8c57-35d65b128341n%40googlegroups.com.

[Nihat]

Just saw this ad about ramp signals on approach to the Anzac bridge. The iron cove tunnel will be interesting not sure I've seen that before in a tunnel perhaps there is one in Melbourne? 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aussie-highways/CAAfCGG%2B6YjPdHejYZT%2BgtM3yxyKgqGHpis-dstx4fT6QuWsOmA%40mail.gmail.com.