Western Distributor Smart Motorway

Reviewed

Transport for NSW is making the Western Distributor smarter and safer. Digital, dynamic signs help traffic to move more easily, providing a safer, more consistent, and less congested journey.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Western Distributor connects Gadi and Wangal country over Rozelle Bay. Transport for NSW acknowledges the Gadi and Wangal Peoples of the Eora Nation and pays respect to Elders past and present.

Latest news

The Western Distributor Smart Motorway is now operational

Smart motorway technology is now operational on the Western Distributor. New technology will enable Transport to monitor traffic conditions and provide real time automatic responses, including communicating speed and safety messages to drivers via variable road signs.

Motorists are advised to follow the speed limits on the variable speed signs, and drive to the conditions.

Upcoming overnight lane closures on the Western Distributor  

There will be temporary overnight lane closures and detours on the Western Distributor in April and May 2025 to create safe work zones while we complete finishing work.

TimingClosure Detour
Wednesday 16 April to Thursday 15 May

Kent Street northbound on ramp to the Western Distributor

The Kent Street northbound on ramp to the Western Distributor will be closed. Motorists will be detoured via Kent Street, Margaret Street, and Clarence Street for access to the Western Distributor and Sydney Harbour Bridge

For detours see the Western Distributor Detour map 1 (PDF, 140.54 KB)

 

Wednesday 14 MaySouthbound Cross City Tunnel – Bathurst Street exit (near 150 Day Street)

Anzac Bridge and Cross City Tunnel motorists will be detoured via Bathurst Street and Kent Street for access to City North, Western Distributor and Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

City South motorists will be detoured via Harbour Street, Day Street, Bathurst Street and Kent Street for access to City North, Western Distributor and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

For detours see the Western Distributor Detour map 2 (PDF, 142.31 KB).

Work schedules and closures are subject to change due to weather and site conditions. 

Please plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and trafc control.

For the latest traffic updates, visit livetraffic.com, download the Live Traffic NSW App or call 132 701.

Thank you for your patience while we deliver this important work.

Project information

What is a smart motorway?

A Smart Motorway uses real-time information, communication, and traffic control systems to improve traffic flow (just like the M4 & M8).

Variable road signs and messages communicate to drivers how to best travel along the Western Distributor for a safer, more consistent, and less congested journey.

Transport has installed 19 new gantries and upgraded four existing gantries between Anzac Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge to support smart motorway technology and signage.  Technology on these gantries includes Integrated Speed Lane Usage electronic signs, automatic incident detection technology, vehicle detection, CCTV cameras and variable message signs.

What are the benefits?

Smart motorways deliver the following benefits:

  • Increase network resilience – Reduce the impact of incidents on the performance of the road network 
  • Improve travel time and reliability – Provide faster journeys and reduced variability in travel times for users of the corridor
  • Improve traffic safety – Provide an increased ability to remotely monitor, and actively control the road transport network, and respond to incidents
  • Enhance road user’s experience – Provide smoother journeys and enhanced journey decision-making.

New technology will facilitate real-time responses to incidents on the Western Distributor by guiding drivers with signage, enabling them to slow for, or even avoid, congestion, with less stop-starting, resulting in more reliable travel times. Additionally, Transport will be better able to respond to incidents by using automatic incident identification technology.

What work is remaining?

While most work on the Western Distributor Smart Motorway is now complete, there will be some ongoing finishing work required.

For more detailed updates about the remaining work we are doing, please subscribe here.

Documents

Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and related documents   
Community updates

Subscribe to updates

If you would like to subscribe to updates or have questions about the Western Distributor Smart Motorway, please complete this form: Subscribe to updates.

Otherwise, email us at westerndistributor@transport.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 684 490.

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