The NSW Government announced plans for the delivery of Beaches Link and the Western Habour Tunnel this week. 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey announced the preferred route for the Beaches link project and begun notifying 71 property owners who are likely to be impacted by the route. 

Also, $77 million investment will aid the construction of necessary geotechnical work along the route. Further, the Government has initiated community information sessions on the general alignment. 

The Beaches Link tunnel will connect the Warringah Freeway, cross underneath Middle Harbour connecting with the Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation at Balgowlah and upgrade the Wakehurst Parkway to two lanes each way, between Seaforth and Frenchs Forest.

According to the Government, the new tunnel will bypass up to 19 sets of traffic lights and cut up to 40 minutes in travel time between Brookvale and the CBD. 

Also, up to 45 minutes of travel time will be reduced between Manly and Parramatta, and reduce travel times for Northern Beaches bus commuters by up to 40 per cent.

The Western Harbour Tunnel will connect to WestConnex at the Rozelle Interchange, cross underneath Sydney Harbour and connect with the Warringah Freeway at North Sydney.

Ms Pavey said geo-testing will begin soon after Easter and will take place over the next six to nine months in suburbs including Balgowlah, Seaforth, North Sydney, Neutral Bay and Cammeray.

“Residents should be aware there will be up to 235 borehole sites tested. These investigations will feed into detailed engineering design, final costings for the project and further route analysis,” Ms Pavey said.