Traffic change coming for West Botany Street in a step closer to restart of tunnelling on M6 Stage 1
Southern Sydney motorists are advised to prepare for changed traffic conditions on West Botany Street this month as work continues towards the recommencement of tunnelling on the M6 Stage 1.
From Tuesday, 18 March until the end of 2026, West Botany Street at Rockdale will be reduced to one lane in each direction for about 280 metres between French Street to just before the Bicentennial Park northern carpark so a temporary work zone can be established.
This construction zone will help support continued work to improve the ground conditions in the area impacted by subsidence last year before tunnelling can restart later in 2025. The remaining tunnel section to be excavated is approximately 245 metres long.
This West Botany Street lane reduction will be in place until the end of 2026, with access to local businesses, amenities and the broader road network maintained throughout this period. Lower speed limits will be in place in this section for the safety of workers and motorists, and some parking will be temporarily removed.
Transport for NSW expects traffic delays and extended travel times during the work and encourages motorists to plan their journeys. This includes considering alternative routes such as Princes Highway, The Grand Parade, and General Holmes Drive, especially during peak travel periods. Traffic on West Botany Street will be monitored by Transport, and the network adjusted if necessary.
A range of engineering techniques and designs are being considered in exploring the safest way to complete tunnelling on the M6 Stage 1. Transport and the contractor are close to finalising the revised tunnelling methodology.
For tunnelling to recommence, SafeWork NSW also have to be satisfied that work can proceed safely.
Work to strengthen ground conditions around West Botany Street involves injecting cement and other materials across the area where tunnelling will occur. Since the start of this year, work has been undertaken to temporarily relocate utilities before the ground improvement work starts.
Once ground improvement is complete, the temporary shaft in the Bicentennial Park construction site will be used to access the tunnels and excavate the remaining alignment under West Botany Street.
Tunnelling has continued at pace across the rest of the M6 Stage 1 project. Over the past two years, six kilometres of tunnels have been excavated from the Arncliffe construction site and 2.7 kilometres from the Rockdale site, with 90% of tunnelling complete across the project. Over 50 per cent of the road pavement has also been installed, creating the final road surface motorists will experience once the tunnels are operational.
Tunnel fit-out is also well underway to install electrical services, safety and ventilation systems, as well as GPS and CCTV to create a functional and efficient tunnel environment.
High-impact road work on President Avenue will be completed by mid-April this year at the latest, which will include partial lane closures from 8 March. Final road adjustments and resurfacing of President Avenue will be completed by late 2025.
Work is also progressing well on the five kilometres of active transport routes as part of the project that will transform the way pedestrians and cyclists move around. The fourth and final shared pathway bridge – the Muddy Creek Bridge in Rockdale - was successfully lifted into place in February in another milestone for the project.
The targeted opening-to-traffic date for the M6 Stage 1 is the end of 2028.
Transport for NSW Coordinator General Howard Collins said:
“We encourage motorists to prepare for the traffic change coming soon on West Botany Street and to plan their journeys, especially in peak travel periods.
“Where possible, consider alternative routes such as the Princes Highway, The Grand Parade, and General Holmes Drive.
“We will monitor the road network in and around West Botany Street and adjust the network if required to improve traffic flow in the area.
“We urge motorists to take notice of lower speed limits for the safety of motorists and workers, and we thank the community for their patience during this time.”
Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Camilla Drover said:
“Work to prepare for the restart of tunnelling on the M6 Stage 1 is progressing well, with plans in place to move forward with work around West Botany Street.
“Since the start of this year, work to relocate major utilities has been carried out before ground improvement work can proceed.
“We’ve taken our time to consider and evaluate the safest engineering designs and methodologies to complete tunnelling around West Botany Street.
“We look forward to progressing with these plans and thank the community for their patience while we undertake this important work.”