Cars Outnumber Hassles On T-day

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday March 27, 2007

Jordan Baker Transport Reporter

SYDNEYSIDERS are embracing the Lane Cove Tunnel - at least while it's free.

The first workday test for the $1.1 billion project went smoothly yesterday, with only a few hiccups. Most drivers patiently navigated the road changes and had a much faster ride through Lane Cove.

The RTA said up to 3000 cars an hour used the eastbound section of the tunnel in the morning. Travel times and speeds improved and the traffic volume increased by up to 20 per cent.

In the 24 hours to 1pm, 65,000 motorists had driven through the tunnel. Numbers are expected to be high during the month-long toll-free period, then settle at about 80,000 cars a day.

The tunnel took two-thirds of the traffic, leaving Epping Road to buses and local traffic. But the chief executive of the RTA, Les Wielinga, said it was too early to draw conclusions. "There has been very good discipline in the driver behaviour." he said. "They seem to be able to intuitively use the tunnel well, and I'm very encouraged by the early signs."

The RTA expected a busier peak today. "[Yesterday] the peak was extended a bit. We are coming off daylight saving ... some people would have got up a bit earlier than they normally would have."

There were problems. Some drivers missed the new Delhi Road exit at the end of the M2, and tried to turn illegally into Epping Road. Police were present but did not issue fines.

The harbour crossings banked up earlier than usual, as predicted, and congestion was slightly worse. Traffic was heavy on the Warringah Freeway near Brook Street.

There were also problems on the new on and off ramps at Falcon Street, which required changes in driver behaviour. The RTA will monitor the situation this week and again in a month, when the toll-free period ends.

Buses benefited from the increased travel times. One WestBus user said passengers on her bus were commenting on the lack of traffic on Epping Road. "It was like another world," she said.

Some motorists said although the tunnel made their trip to work much faster, they were unsure whether they would pay the toll, which will bring a return trip to the city via the M2, tunnel and Harbour Bridge to $16.90.

Most responses on the Herald's website were positive.

"The tunnel was superb this morning in peak. I saved 20 minutes at least," said one motorist. A commuter said: "Epping Road was a virtual ghost town. Hope it lasts when the toll-free period ends."

One driver ruled said it was unfair that north-western residents "get slugged with yet another $5 in tolls when we have no other way of getting to work".

Another commuter said Victoria Road was busier than usual. "Seems like everyone avoided Epping Road in case of the first-day teething problems," he said.

Ian Hunt, chief executive of the tunnel's operator, Connector Motorways, said he had been "cautiously optimistic". "It is quite a relief that this morning has gone fairly smoothly," he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Wielinga said planning would have to "get going soon" to meet the 10-year deadline for projects listed on the State Plan such as the F3 to M2 link and a possible M4 East.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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