Two of Sydney's most significant infrastructure projects have officially come together, as a massive road header machine smashed through the final wall of rock linking the Western Harbour Tunnel and the Warringah Freeway Upgrade.

The milestone was marked by a 95-tonne road header completing the connection between the two projects, which are key components of Sydney's long-term transport network overhaul.

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The Western Harbour Tunnel, a 6.5-kilometre stretch set to open in 2028, will provide Sydney with its first new road harbour crossing in nearly 30 years. The connection with the Warringah Freeway marks a major achievement for Stage 2 of the tunnel works, which has involved carving through approximately one million tonnes of Sydney sandstone.

The tunnel will link the Warringah Freeway at Cammeray to the WestConnex M4 and M8 corridors via the Rozelle Interchange, allowing motorists to bypass the CBD and significantly improve travel times.

What It Means for Sydney Drivers

Once operational, the Western Harbour Tunnel is expected to:

  • Cut travel times by up to 20 minutes between key destinations like Sydney Olympic Park, Leichhardt, and North Sydney.
  • Reduce traffic volumes by 35% on the Western Distributor, 20% on the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, and 17% on the Harbour Bridge.

The Warringah Freeway Upgrade, which is now over 70% complete, will deliver:

  • A dedicated bus lane into the CBD.
  • Simplified traffic flow through new ramps, bridges, and underpasses.
  • Safer, streamlined access across one of the country’s busiest roads.
  • New shared paths and improved pedestrian and cyclist links between Neutral Bay and Cammeray.
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The Path Ahead

Later this year, two enormous tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will arrive and be assembled beneath Birchgrove. These machines will excavate twin three-lane tunnels under Sydney Harbour, extending the connection from Birchgrove to Waverton.

The combined Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade projects are expected to support approximately 7,500 full-time equivalent jobs over their lifecycle, offering a significant boost to employment and local economies.

Leaders Celebrate Milestone

Premier Chris Minns described the moment as historic: “For the first time, there is light at this end of Western Harbour Tunnel - literally.”

He emphasised that the project will transform mobility across Sydney, taking pressure off existing crossings and improving reliability.

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Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison likened the construction challenge to "open heart surgery while running a marathon," acknowledging the complexity of building amid live traffic. "We applaud the hard work of everyone working on these projects," she said.

Looking Forward

With the Western Harbour Tunnel scheduled for completion in 2028 and the Warringah Freeway Upgrade due to finish by late 2026, Sydney is on track to deliver a new era of faster, safer, and more efficient travel across the harbour and beyond.

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