Western Distributor Smart Motorway
Project overview
Transport for NSW is making the Western Distributor smarter and safer. Digital, dynamic signs will allow traffic to move more easily, providing a safer, more consistent, and less congested journey.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Western Distributor connects Wangal and Gadi 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
April 2024 - Traffic changes on the Western Distributor – 5-8 May
Western Distributor lane closures will be in place overnight from Sunday 5 May to Wednesday 8 May. During this time, new signage will be installed.
These closures include:
| Closure | Timing | Detour |
|---|---|---|
| Western Distributor - westbound lanes from the Cross City tunnel exit to Pyrmont Bridge Road | On Sunday 5 May and Monday 6 May between 9pm and 5am. Lane closures start from 9pm with all westbound lanes closed and detours in place from 10pm until 5am. | Motorists travelling from Sydney Harbour Bridge and Market Street (City Centre) will be detoured via the off-ramp to Harris Street and detoured back onto Western Distributor via the onramp from Bank Street. |
| Motorists travelling from Druitt Street (City South/Centre) will be detoured onto Sussex Street, William Henry Street, Wattle Street, and back onto Western Distributor via the on‑ramp from Pyrmont Bridge Road. | ||
| Motorists travelling from the Cross City Tunnel will be detoured onto Bathurst Street, Sussex Street, William Henry Street, Wattle Street, and back onto Western Distributor via the on-ramp from Pyrmont Bridge Road. | ||
| Fig Street on-ramp to the Western Distributor (towards Sydney Harbour Bridge and City Centre via King St) | On Tuesday 7 May and Wednesday 8 May between 9pm and 5am. | Motorists travelling towards Sydney Harbour Bridge and city centre will be detoured via Pyrmont Bridge Road, Pyrmont Street, and back onto Western Distributor via the on-ramp from Pyrmont Street. |
Please note, Wattle Crescent access will be maintained.
Please view this detour map (PDF, 269.21 KB) for more information about detour routes.
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 traffic control.
For the latest traffic updates, visit livetraffic.com, download the Live Traffic NSW App or call 132 701.
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 distributor for a safer, more consistent, and less congested journey.
Up to 19 gantries are being installed between the Anzac Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge, others will be upgraded. These gantries will have Integrated Speed Lane Usage electronic signs, automatic incident detection technology, vehicle detection, extensive CCTV coverage and variable message signs along the corridor.
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 surrounding Sydney’s busiest transport corridor
- Improve travel time and reliability – Provide faster journeys and reduced variability in travel times for current and future users of the corridor
- Improve traffic safety – Provide an increased ability to actively control and remotely monitor the road transport network, and respond to incidents
- Enhance the road user experience – Provide smoother journeys and enhanced journey decision-making for road users
This means real time responses for traffic on the Western Distributor, allowing road users to avoid congestion on the motorway with less stop-starting and more reliable travel times. Less stop-starting will reduce accidents.
We are also able to respond to any incidents using automatic incident identification technology and, when necessary, allow vehicles to continue to move around incidents.
What work is occurring?
We have started to install smart motorway technology on the Western Distributor between the Anzac Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
To date, our work has focused on preparation activities, including site investigations, and installing cabling and control cabinets. We are now starting to erect new signage and install other smart motorway technology on the Western Distributor. This includes installing additional electronic and static signage on existing sign bars on the Anzac Bridge. At times we will need to close sections of the Western Distributor to install gantries and signage. We will complete most of our work at night, when traffic is at its lowest and detours will be in place at times.
For more detailed updates about the work we are doing, please subscribe here.
Explore the map
View the gantry and signs proposed on our map. Along with relevant details and localised impacts. When we build them, we’ll need to connect them to IT services, which includes cabling work and control cabinets. Some of our on-ground work is to provide this connectivity.
Documents
Review of Environmental Factors
- May 2021 Review of Environmental Factors Report (PDF, 17.84 MB) (PDF, 17.84 MB)
- Appendix D - Traffic transport report (PDF, 8.8 MB) (PDF, 8.8 MB)
- Appendix E - Land Landscape character visual impact assessment (PDF, 90.52 MB) (PDF, 90.52 MB)
- Appendix F - Statement of heritage impact (PDF, 11.96 MB) (PDF, 11.96 MB)
- Appendix G – Construction noise assessment (PDF, 38.25 MB) (PDF, 28.25 MB)
- Appendix H - Biodiversity research results (PDF, 11.9 MB) (PDF, 11.9 MB)
- December 2022 - Smart Motorway Addendum REF 01 White Bay compounds (PDF, 3.28 MB) (PDF, 3.28 MB)
- December 2022 - Smart Motorway Addendum Ref 01 White Bay compounds Appendices E to H (PDF, 6.59 MB) (PDF, 6.59 MB)
- April 2023 - Smart Motorway Addendum REF No 2 (PDF, 172.34 MB) (PDF, 172.34 MB)
- February 2023 - Review of Environmental Factors 3 Colebee ancillary facility (PDF, 9.46 MB) (PDF, 9.46 MB)
- June 2023 - Smart Motorway Addendum REF No 4 Glebe Island Bridge compound (PDF, 2.42 MB) (PDF, 2.42 MB)
- September 2023 - Western Distributor Smart Motorway Review of Environmental Factors consistency review (PDF, 478.91 KB) (PDF, 478.91 KB)
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.