M2 Motorway

The M2 Motorway is a 21 kilometre, four-lane motorway that links the lower north shore and the north-west regions of Sydney. The M2 is an important section of the Sydney Orbital Road network, linking the M7 and the Lane Cove Tunnel. It carries approximately 100,000 vehicles a day. The M2 is also a key public transport corridor. The motorway includes dedicated bus lanes which carry more than 17,000 bus passengers on a typical work day. The M2 Motorway is operated by Hills M2. For information on using the M2 Motorway click here to go to the Hills M2 website.

The M2 Upgrade Environmental Assessment was exhibited from 19 May 2010 to 21 June 2010 and submissions were accepted until 5 July 2010. During the exhibition period, 910 submissions were received.

A submissions and preferred project report has now been prepared. This report identifies the issues raised during the exhibition of the environmental assessment and provides the RTA’s responses to these issues. It includes a preferred project report and a description of changes to the M2 Upgrade project and a revised Statement of Commitments.

The M2 Upgrade Submissions and Preferred Project Report is available by clicking here.

The Environmental Assessment documents can be viewed here.

RTA vision

The M2 Motorway project was initiated in  response to increasing traffic congestion in the north-west of Sydney, a consequence of population growth in the region. The motorway was designed to link the M7 and Lane Cove Tunnel, reduce travel times throughout the region and provide a direct link between the north-west and the expanding Sydney Orbital Road network.

The RTA has a holistic approach to designing and planning its road projects. In addition to considering traffic flow, travel times and public transport, urban design concerns feature prominently. These include environmental and heritage considerations, connectivity, local community needs, supporting green travel and enhancing urban environments. The RTA strives to ensure that each road project adds value to local communities.

Road users

Road users benefit from:

• Quicker journey times between Sydney’s north-west and the Central Sydney area.
• Improved traffic flow on the arterial (smaller) road network, due to reduced traffic on these roads.

Public transport

Public transport users benefit from:

• Dedicated bus lanes.
• Improved travel times for bus routes between the north-west and the city.
• Safe access to bus terminals located in the central median of the M2.

Pedestrians

Pedestrians benefit from the provision of safe and efficient access across the M2 through numerous underground or overhead pedestrian ways. These include those at Cropley Drive and Watkins Road (Winston Hills), Barclay Road (North Rocks), Oakes Road (Carlingford), and Kirkham Street (Beecroft).

Key features

RTA road projects aim to provide safe and efficient travel for all roadusers. Many road projects also include significant features which beautify our city and create a desirable and enjoyable urban landscape. For instance, installing cycleways provides people with green travel and leisure opportunities. Upgrades to parks and roadside landscaping enhance the amenity of urban environments. Preserving heritage sites protects the historical riches of our city and inspires civic pride.

Around 120,000 native seedlings were planted within the road corridor. The plants were propagated from seeds collected along the road reserve prior to the start of works.

Public transport facilities

One of the major features of the M2 Motorway project was construction of dedicated bus lanes from Beecroft Road to Windsor Road and median (centrally located) bus terminals. These lanes carry more than 17,000 bus passengers on a typical work day. Safe pedestrian access is provided via overhead walkways to the bus terminals. Bus stops can operate without interrupting the main flow of traffic along the M2 corridor. Dedicated bus ramps were also built to allow buses to exit and enter the motorway without disrupting the main flow of traffic.

Planned improvements

The NSW Government has announced an in principle agreement with the owner/operator of the M2 Motorway, Transurban, for a $550 million upgrade of the M2. The upgrade of the M2 will relieve existing congestion points and prepare for the growth predicted for the north-west over the next 25 years.  Click here for more information regarding planned improvements to the M2.