$2.6bn Sydney Gateway to be built by John Holland-Seymour Whyte JV

A new major milestone has been reached on the $2.6 billion Sydney Gateway with the design and construction contract awarded to the John Holland and Seymour Whyte joint venture, taking the significant transport network project a step closer to being built. 

In addition, the project has also secured planning approval from all levels of government. 

“The NSW Government is investing up to $2.6 billion into this project, which is one of the missing pieces in Sydney’s motorway network. 

“As well as providing safer and more reliable journeys, Sydney Gateway will also deliver a significant employment and economic boost, supporting 1,000 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. 

Sydney Gateway will be connecting the WestConnex St Peters Interchange – where the M4 and M8 meets – to the Airport and Port Botany Precinct, and the new road network will have the capacity to carry up to 100,000 vehicles a day. 

Once completed, Sydney Gateway will provide a toll-free motorway for people travelling to Sydney Airport or Port Botany as well as transform how people move in Sydney. 

“We are delighted to continue our working relationship with John Holland and the NSW Government; and to be awarded the Sydney Gateway contract to improve connectivity for motorists and active transport users. 

“This critical motorway link will make Sydney more connected than ever before. We are proud to be part of this project that will be the gateway to the city for residents and visitors,” Seymour Whyte Managing Director and CEO John Kirkwood said. 

Project map (source: Seymour Whyte)

In addition to the new motorway, this multi-billion-dollar project will also deliver shared cycle and pedestrian paths, new open spaces for the local community. 

“We are proud to be trusted with this project, and will draw upon our experience delivering the New M4 to ensure this motorway meets the expectations of commuters and communities. We are excited to be improving pedestrian and cycling links as part of this project, enhancing community space while delivering this vital motorway link,” John Holland CEO Joe Barr said. 

Early works on Sydney Gateway is due to commence by the end of this year and major construction to begin in 2021. The new toll-free motorway is expected to open to traffic in 2024. 

Sydney Gateway is set to greatly improve travel times as well as transform the airport precinct for future growth. 

Together with WestConnex, motorists travelling through Sydney Gateway will be able to save up to: 

• 30 minutes from the Inner West to the International Airport 
• 22 minutes from Bankstown to the Domestic Airport 
• 30 minutes from Silverwater to Port Botany 
• 40 minutes on a trip from Parramatta to the Domestic Airport 

“The project, with the wider network, will allow motorists to bypass 26 sets of traffic lights between Parramatta and Sydney Airport’s Domestic terminal. 

“The direct, efficient and safe route means we are also expecting Sydney Gateway to be used by half of all trucks travelling to Port Botany by 2026, handing Mascot streets back to the local community,” NSW Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said. 

Artist impression of the project (source: Seymour Whyte)

According to Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer Geoff Culbert, this year has been the worst year for aviation and the progress on the Sydney Gateway project brings positive news. 

“This visionary project will be a game-changer for access to the airport, will generate much-needed jobs and, importantly, will benefit our community by giving local roads back to local residents,” Mr Culbert said. 

Following community consultation, one major change to the project design is the inclusion of a new shared cycling and pedestrian path that will link Alexandra Canal and the domestic terminals. 

“Around half of all feedback we’ve received from the community has been about better links for cyclists in particular, so it’s great to see a new walking and cycling path will be built to improve access to the domestic terminals,” Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Greater Sydney Elizabeth Mildwater said. 

With the design and construction contract awarded, the joint venture will now begin developing plans to manage construction impacts as Sydney Gateway is being built. The John Holland – Seymour Whyte joint venture will also be engaging with the local community throughout the life of the project. 

“We are committed to working closely with our local suppliers, local communities and the government to deliver this important project safely and efficiently,” Mr Kirkwood said. 

Source: Transport for NSW – Media Releases; Transport for NSW – Sydney Gateway; Seymour Whyte; Sky News; Sydney Airport; The Sydney Morning Herald