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Workers in one of the major WestConnex tunnels in Sydney’s inner west.Credit:Kate Geraghty

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the $3.2 billion project,one of the final legs of the $16 billion WestConnex motorway,was on budget and two months ahead of schedule.

The government estimates the tolled system will allow 100,000 motorists to bypass 52 sets of traffic lights each day.

“This vital new link will save motorists up to 40 minutes on their journey between Western Sydney and Sydney Airport,bypassing 52 sets of traffic lights by travelling through 22 kilometres of tunnels deep under the city,” Perrottet said.

“We are completely transforming the way Sydneysiders live,work and commute across their city,with over a quarter of a million motorists already using WestConnex every day.”

The opening of the M4-M8 connection comes two and half years after the M8 opened to motorists,connecting Kingsgrove and St Peters and burrowing up to 90 metres deep below Sydney’s southern suburbs.

The final component of the massive underground motorway system will be completed when the complex Rozelle Interchange spaghetti junction opens in late 2023. That section of tunnelling will connect to the future Western Harbour Tunnel that the government expects to be completed by 2027.

Almost 30 road headers have been used in the M4-M8 connection which has an average depth of around 35 metres,and tunnels as deep as 55 metres below Newtown.

The government estimates close to 600,000 cubic metres of concrete and 9600 tonnes of steel have been used in the multi-billion dollar build.

Roads Minister Natalie Ward said more than 12,000 people had been involved in the project.

“This marks a major milestone for the city shaping WestConnex project which is on track to be completed this year when the Rozelle interchange comes online,” she said.

The different sections of WestConnex have a variety of tolls attached to them,but use a distance-based tolling system which includes a set flag-fall fee. It is currently capped at a maximum of $11.11.

Prices for using the major motorway increase by at least 4 per cent each year.

Perrottet earlier this week said that he was still committed to reforming the state’s tolling system,though the government is unlikely to announce any major changes before the March 2023 election.

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