Sydney Gateway

Supporting

the

growth

of

our

communities,

places

and

economy

Since opening in September 2024, about 50,000 motorists have been using Sydney Gateway daily. This has resulted in a 15% reduction in traffic in Mascot, with most motorist experience reduced journey times by up to 22 minutes when connecting from the Rozelle Interchange to Sydney Airport.

SMEC’s history alongside Sydney Gateway

In 2016, SMEC began its involvement in the project by supporting Transport for New South Wales (Transport) with a business case submission, including design and environmental services. The SMEC team collaborated with Transport to develop the design and engage stakeholders. We are proud that the concept design remained the foundation throughout the project lifecycle.

SMEC was engaged to develop a large-scale traffic model, creating one of the largest meso- and micro-simulation models in the Sydney Metro area for the road network near the Sydney Gateway. This included AIMSUM services for complex urban areas. The modeling identified performance improvement solutions during staged construction and throughout the project lifecycle such as business case, environmental impact study, concept and detailed design stages, and construction stages.

In 2019, SMEC partnered with Arup and WeBuild for the D&C tender. For the tender phase, our team worked to produce an innovative and cost-effective design, which was highly commended by Transport.

Since 2021, SMEC and The APP Group served as the Independent Verifier (IV) for the $2.6 billion Sydney Gateway Project for Transport, designed and constructed by a John Holland Seymour Whyte Joint Venture. As the Independent Verifier, SMEC with The APP Group served as impartial third parties and, provided expert oversight, monitored compliance with regulatory and contractual requirements, and ensured the highest standards of quality, safety, and environmental sustainability practices. Their involvement guaranteed maximum value for money, minimised risks, and provides benefits to the wider community.

Location

NSW, Australia

Year

2021-2024

Client

Transport for NSW

Expertise

Roads, Highways & Bridges

diverts up to 10,000 trucks a day from local streets

50,000 motorists using the new connection daily

reduction in traffic in Mascot

New bridges

minutes

reduction in journey times when connecting from the Rozelle Interchange to Sydney Airport

Sydney Gateway connects Sydney Airport International and Domestic terminals to the Sydney M5-M8 motorways network at St Peters Interchange and beyond. The project will enhance freight distribution from Port Botany and Sydney Airport, improve local traffic flow, and contribute to a better transport network to support economic and population growth.

Sydney Gateway addressed limitations of the current transport network through the construction of new access roads, bridges, overpasses, and link roads:

new access road to Terminal T1 from the St Peters Interchange through the former Tempe Tip
new bridges over Alexandra Canal
new overpasses across the Botany Rail Line and Canal Road
new link roads to Sydney Airport land connecting on either side of the Botany Rail Line
new link roads connecting Sydney Airport’s existing and proposed freight facilities on either side ofAlexandra Canal
an active transport link of over 3km to maintain bicycle and pedestrian connections between Tempe, Sydney Airport, and Mascot
widening Qantas Drive to three lanes in each direction
new elevated access viaduct and overpass from the upgraded Qantas Drive into Terminals T2/T3; and
intersection upgrades or modifications at Robey Street/Seventh Street/Qantas Drive, Ross Smith Avenue/Sir Reginald Ansett Drive, and Shiers Avenue/Sir Reginald Ansett Drive.

Our experience, with The APP Group, in delivering IV services in Sydney enables our team to deliver enduring value to the clients and contractors we work with, but also the community these projects serve. On large-scale, complex projects like Sydney Gateway, the role of Independent Verifier is a complex and vital one. We work collaboratively with, but independently of, the Contractor and Client to help facilitate a high-quality outcome and value for money through both the design and construction phases of the project.”

— Andrew Pettig, Manager – Roads and Highways (NSW/ACT)

Innovation in design

New bridges over Alexandra Canal

Sydney Gateway consists of 12 new bridges over roads and rail. The Heritage Alexandra Canal, the Twin Arch Bridges over the Canal, and the 360m bridge to the Domestic Terminal over rail and canal were the most complex to implement.

Meticulous planning, collaboration, and innovation by the team led to the successful rotation of the arches of the Twin Arch Bridges, with both arches launched over the Alexandra Canal to the International Airport Terminal, known as ‘The Gateway’ to Sydney. This significant undertaking during the project involved arches weighing approximately 660 tonnes of 100% Australian steel and spanning 105m. The Twin Arch Bridges feature coloured lighting to highlight the arches and incorporate local Aboriginal designs into the landscaping and noise mounds, enhancing the Sydney Gateway experience from both land and air.

A steel box girder of approximately 85m in length for the Alexandra Canal span of the Qantas Drive Bridge was successfully lifted into place using Self Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) on girder extensions. The girders were transported two at a time (six in total) with each pair weighing 600 tonnes, over the existing Nigel Love Bridge and on either side of the Alexandra Canal. The total bridge length over the Canal and Port Botany Rail Line was 360m, spanning eight sections.

New elevated access viaduct and overpass

Five large, curved steel girders of 52m in length have been lifted over Qantas Drive / O Riordan Street intersection in Mascot for connections to the precast super T sections of the new elevated viaduct. This significant lift required incredible team precision and detailed coordination of the traffic management team for the traffic switch to one side of Qantas Drive over five successful nights, at the junctions to and from the Sydney Domestic Terminal, with works completed during the evening and early hours of the morning. The new elevated access viaduct and overpass delivering seamless transport connectivity from WestConnex to the domestic terminal, minimising congestion and wait times.

Supporting rapid economic and population growth

Sydney Gateway opened the final section to the public in September 2024, after a series of staged openings, allowing users to become familiar with the roads and providing improved connections between the Sydney Airport precincts, motorway, and the wider road network across Sydney.

By 2056, it is anticipated that New South Wales will be home to more than 12 million residents, more than doubling the current population of Sydney, which currently stands at 5.5 million. Sydney’s population is expected to grow to a size comparable to global cities like London and New York. To accommodate this growth, it is crucial to invest in world-class infrastructure that will reduce congestion and enhance livability in Sydney.

Investment in road infrastructure is essential for managing growth, supporting economic activities, enhancing connectivity, and improving quality of life. It is a foundational element for developing resilient, efficient, and sustainable transport systems.

Sydney Gateway is a world-class infrastructure that will support future population growth through expanding and improving the existing road and freight rail high-capacity networks, enabling our current and future communities to thrive.