Frequently asked questions

What benefits will the Hills M2 Upgrade project deliver to motorway users and the community?

The upgrade will:

• Reduce congestion during busy morning and afternoon peak periods.
• Restore a 100km/h speed limit along the westbound carriageway from Lane Cove Road to Beecroft Road.
• Provide new entry/exit points to improve access to the north west from Windsor Road and Sydney's growing residential and business centres in Macquarie Park.

When will construction start and how long will it take?

Construction started in December 2010 with major work on the motorway commencing on 17 January 2011. These works are anticipated to take approximately 24 months to complete. Visit the construction program and updates page to view current and upcoming construction work.

Who is constructing the Hills M2 Upgrade?

The majority of work is being undertaken by Leighton Contractors who have been engaged as the preferred contractor.

What bus priority will be provided during the upgrade?

Bus operators, Transport NSW, the NSW Traffic Management Centre, the RTA and Hills M2 jointly agreed on the removal of the tidal bus lane to limit the risk of accidents due to merge and prolonged delays in the event of a bus breakdown. An eastbound bus lane operates between Barclay Road and Kent Street and a westbound bus lane operates between Barclay Road and Windsor Road. This current configuration was approved by the RTA, Transport NSW, the NSW Traffic Management Centre, Hills M2 and bus operators on 8 March 2011.

A priority westbound lane for buses has been opened through the main toll plaza during the afternoon weekday peak to help buses avoid congestion.

The left westbound lane of the Beecroft Road exit is designated for Beecroft Road traffic only, however buses can use this lane and then merge into the general motorway lanes near Beecroft Road.

These improvements have been made ahead of the implementation of fully electronic cashless tolling next year and will prioritise bus travel, benefiting thousands of people who commute by bus each weekday.

Hills M2 are committed to continually reviewing the arrangement for buses to minimise the impacts of delays while recognising the necessity for the road work to be undertaken.

Why won't tolls be reduced during the upgrade?

Tolled motorways provide an alternative for people who see value for money in their use. Ultimately the decision to use the motorway is one for motorists.

To allow motorists to make an informed decision we use a range of methods to communicate changes due to road works with motorway users including newspaper advertisements, road work alerts, flyers for bus patrons, posters at bus stations, electronic message signs, websites (including www.livetrafficnsw.com.au), community newsletters, community information sessions and a 24/7 hotline.

All motorway users are advised to expect delays during the construction period.

How are construction impacts being managed?

The project is subject to a range of Conditions of Approval relating to the management of environmental, construction, traffic, cyclist and noise impacts. These conditions are available on the document links - environmental assessment page.

What are the construction work hours?

Standard work hours will be:

• 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday
• 8am to 1pm Saturday

Out of hours work will be required. The project team will program the noisiest work to occur during the daytime and before midnight wherever possible.

The importance of the Hills M2 Motorway in the overall Sydney road and transport network means that the motorway must remain operational during construction. Full lane closures will not be permitted from 5am to 8pm. This requires some work during night to create safe work zones to protect motorists and workers.

How is traffic being managed during construction?

Traffic Management will be in place on the motorway and on some local roads during construction. Visit traffic management for details.

Why is the Hills M2 closed to cyclists during construction?

Cyclists will not be able to access the motorway during construction for safety reasons. An alternative cycle route has been constructed from the Hills District to Macquarie Park and North Ryde, as a temporary detour for cyclists. Cyclists will be able to access the motorway again after construction. The NSW Police will continue their focus on road safety and the enforcement of road safety legislation. Visit the document links - construction page for details and a map of the alternative cycle route

How can I make a complaint?

Visit contact us - complaints handling for details.