The Northern Beaches Tunnel is officially off the cards after a NSW Government announcement this evening that the project is cancelled.
A memo to stakeholders this evening, 8 September 2023, advises:
“Today the NSW Government has confirmed the decision to cancel this project. Transport for NSW will write to the Department of Planning and Environment to withdraw its State Significant Infrastructure Application for the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection project.
Work will continue on the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade.”
If you would like more information, we advise contacting the project team on 1800 139 389 or via whtbl@transport.nsw.gov.au
This ends years of uncertainty on the project. The newly elected government has previously reported to stakeholders that the major project was “on hold” and property acquisitions no longer underway.
Manly Observer understand more than 20 of the 35 property acquisitions had already occurred.
“While a detailed Environmental Impact Statement has been completed for the Beaches Link project, the NSW Government has not granted planning approval for the project,” an earlier letter to stakeholders reads.
Work will continue on the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade, including enabling works on the freeway.
The NSW Government said it will also review the local road needs in light of the changed plans.
Manly MP James Griffin said a review was not needed.
“Don’t rip off the Northern Beaches, spend at least some of the funds intended for the Northern Beaches Tunnel on local road and infrastructure upgrades,” he said this evening.
“NSW Labor are proposing a road review. We don’t need a road review, what we need is them to get on with the job. All the work on understanding the challenges on our road network has already been done as part of preparation for the tunnel.
“They’ve axed the tunnel, they can at least invest in our local roads.”
The Beaches Link, also known as the Northern Beaches Tunnel, was scheduled to start in 2023 and be completed by 2028 according to the timelines provided in the Environmental Impact Statement, pending planning approval. It had been designed to have two portals (entries/exits) – one in Balgowlah and one in Seaforth – taking vehicles through 7kms of tunnels under Middle Harbour and the lower North Shore, connecting with the Warringah Freeway in Cammeray.
You can read our previous coverage on the project here:
Straight answers hard to come by in Northern Beaches Tunnel future
