$2.6bn Sydney Gateway project reaches halfway mark

New South Wales’ $2.6 billion Sydney Gateway project has hit the halfway point in construction, marking a new major milestone on this significant road development that will transform the way motorists travel to and from the Sydney Airport. 

With works now 50 per cent complete, installation of the twin archway bridge over the Alexandra Canal in Tempe is set to commence. 

The delivery of Sydney Gateway remains on time and on budget while also providing a major boost to the economy and job creation. 

"Sydney Gateway will generate and support more than 4,000 jobs across the construction and manufacturing industries in Sydney and regional NSW over the life of the project. 

“This includes providing opportunities for 430 young people, more than 500 women and 130 Aboriginal people, which are all well above industry benchmarks. 

“This means these people are learning and applying the technical skills needed to build world-class infrastructure here in Sydney,” NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said. 

Looking north on Airport Drive (source: NSW Government - Sydney Gateway)

Over the course of its development, the project designs have undergone refinement to incorporate community feedback. 

Sydney Gateway will include a three-kilometre pedestrian and cycling path along Alexandra Canal to provide an active transport link for those who want an alternative way to travel around. 

“Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said: “This is another example of the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering city-shaping projects as part of the $76.7 billion transport infrastructure investment across the state over the next four years.” 

Over the next few months as works progress, focus will turn to the fabrication of the two arch bridges that will ultimately connect St Peters Interchange with the International Terminal at Sydney Airport. 

Looking towards Botany Bay (source: NSW Government - Sydney Gateway)

Once completed, Sydney Gateway will provide a toll-free link to Sydney Airport’s Domestic and International Terminals. It will also become a new route for approximately 10,000 trucks, diverting them from local streets in Mascot to help reduce travel times and congestion as well as return local streets to the community. 

“Sydney commuters are now another step closer to faster and more reliable trips from St Peters Interchange to Sydney Airport, the M5 and the Eastern Distributor as this transformative project hits the halfway mark. 

“The foundations have been laid, and workers will soon embark on the major engineering feat of putting together the 3,000 tonnes of 100 per cent Australian steel to form these eye-catching bridges,” Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said. 

Sydney Gateway is on track to opening to traffic in late 2024. 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW; NSW Government – Sydney Gateway; Inside Construction; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Infrastructure Magazine