The Australian and NSW governments today marked a key milestone in delivering the New M5 tunnel, announcing the proposed location for the tunnel’s western entry point had been identified within the existing motorway corridor minimising impact on the local community.

The New M5 tunnel will run underground from Kingsgrove to St Peters, providing relief to the thousands of motorists struggling in traffic congestion on the M5 every day.

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs said the three shortlisted consortia proposed to locate the western portal and ventilation facility on land adjacent to the Kingsgrove industrial estate on the southern side of the existing M5 East.

“The New M5 will more than double current capacity along the existing M5 corridor and provide improved access to the airport, south Sydney and Port Botany precincts,” Mr Briggs said.

“The tunnel will be wider, taller and flatter than the existing M5 East tunnel, which means trucks won’t have to struggle up a steep incline, reducing vehicle emissions.

“WestConnex will create 10,000 jobs during construction and save up to 30 minutes on an average peak trip between Liverpool and the South Sydney employment area.”

NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay said the western entry point will be within the existing motorway corridor.

“Wherever possible we are building WestConnex underground and in reserved road corridors to reduce impact on local communities,” Mr Gay said.

“The location of the western entry point does not require acquisition of residential properties and we can reassure the community that the Wolli Creek bushland will not be affected.

“The New M5 tunnel will re-energise the M5 corridor and extend the benefits motorists are already experiencing on the widened M5 West to the remainder of the motorway.”

Construction will start on the New M5 in mid-2016 and is expected to be completed in 2019.