Western Harbour Tunnel Stage 2

The Western Harbour Tunnel project will deliver a western bypass of Sydney’s CBD and significantly reduce travel times for Sydney motorists, particularly between the North Shore, Northern Beaches and Sydney’s inner west. Once complete, the new tunnel is estimated to cut traffic by 35% in the Western Distributor, and by up to 20% for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and the Harbour Bridge. 

The second stage of the project involves tunnelling between Birchgrove and Waverton using Tunnel Boring Machines, and then onto North Sydney where it will connect with the planned Beaches Link project and Gore Hill Freeway Connection. 

The APP Group and partner SMEC were re-appointed as Independent Certifier for Stage 2 through the new principal contractor, ACCIONA Construction Australia, after delivering the same role as part of Stage 1 for John Holland and CPB Contractors.

Delivered in two stages, Stage 1 of the Western Harbour Tunnel includes the construction of 1.7km of twin three-lane tunnels between Rozelle and Birchgrove. Stage 2 will cover tunnelling at Birchgrove through and under Sydney Harbour to North Sydney. The Western Harbour Tunnel is expected to open in 2028.  
 
In 2022, the original plans for the Western Harbour Tunnel were updated to shift away from being an immersed tube tunnel on top of the seabed to an underground tunnel with the use of Tunnel Boring Machines as part of Stage 2.