Opening of Westconnex Phase 1: M4 East Tunnel to Paramatta Road

[BigManFromAFRICA88]

Just surprised this hasn't been covered yet. Phase 2 (M5 East to St. Peter's interchange) is scheduled to open next year, with the middle gap and Rozelle interchange to come later. Despite the high tolls, suspect traffic counts/signing (Cross City Tunnel, CleM7, etc.), and NIMBYism, it's interesting to see Australia's growing network of tunnels being built so relatively fast observing from a country where SR 99 had countless delays.

[Stephane Dumas]

Add also to the list, the NorthConnex who'll link the M1/Pacific Motorway to the M2 Hills Motorway completing a missing link that was needed for years.

[Stephane Dumas]

I revive this thread by mentionning the M8 opening of the West Connex.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqSVbMH_kOA

And an other video posted last June about M8.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhS-ZEEXZXI

[Stephane Dumas]

Google Streetview had added the view of the Northconnex https://goo.gl/maps/8DQ6HJto2kC6a6JN9 as well as the Westconnex https://goo.gl/maps/178Dy1WN3PUYvEg48

[ClassicHasClass]

Actually got to drive the NorthConnex (by accident because we made a wrong turn). Nice highway, very smooth, stupid expensive. Still, shaved a few minutes off our trip to Hornsby.

[kernals12]

So why is Australia building so many freeways in tunnels? Is it environmental regulations or Australia's insane land prices driving up the cost of ROW acquisition?