The New Western Harbour Tunnel: How It Will Change The Way Sydney Travels

Sydney’s next big glow-up isn’t another rooftop bar or waterfront precinct—it’s happening underground. The $4.5 billion Western Harbour Tunnel is officially in motion, and when it opens in 2028, it’s set to change the way we move across the city. Think less gridlock on the Harbour Bridge, shorter commutes from the North Shore to the Inner West, and way easier weekend dashes to the airport or beach.

Here’s everything you need to know about the mega project set to reshape Sydney travel as we know it.

What Is The Western Harbour Tunnel?

In short: Sydney’s getting a brand-new shortcut under the harbour. The Western Harbour Tunnel will stretch 6.5 kilometres, linking the Warringah Freeway at North Sydney directly to the Rozelle Interchange—the same junction that connects to WestConnex and the future Sydney Gateway to the airport. Once open, you’ll be able to skip the Harbour Bridge and Anzac Bridge entirely, slicing travel between the north and Inner West by up to 20 minutes.

It’s the newest piece of Sydney’s ever-expanding motorway puzzle, designed to take pressure off the city’s busiest choke points and keep traffic moving across multiple directions, whether you’re heading to work in Pyrmont, a gig in Marrickville, or brunch in Balmain.

Image credit: Western Harbour Tunnel project map | Transport for NSW

When Will The Tunnel Open And How Will It Work?

Construction kicked off in 2023, with massive tunnel-boring machines now digging beneath Waverton and Birchgrove. The dual two-lane tunnel will be fully operational by late 2027 or early 2028, with safety and systems testing starting as early as 2026.

In terms of cost, expect a toll similar to WestConnex (roughly $5 to $7 each way) and travel times that could make even the most loyal train commuter rethink their morning routine. A North Sydney to Rozelle run that currently drags out to half an hour in peak could be cut to just 10 minutes. Yep, that’s basically a podcast intro.

How It Will Change Your Commute (And The City)

Beyond the obvious win of fewer red lights and traffic tantrums, the Western Harbour Tunnel is expected to seriously unclog the Harbour Bridge and Anzac Bridge, freeing up public transport routes and reducing surface traffic across key inner-city corridors.

For Inner West locals, it could also mean better air quality thanks to reduced congestion on Victoria Road, plus fresh public spaces and noise barriers being built around Rozelle and Birchgrove as part of the project’s environmental offsets.

It’s not just a commuter fix; it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Shorter trips between the North Shore and the Inner West open up whole new corners of Sydney for post-work hangs, weekend adventures and late-night eats. Think a North Sydney crew grabbing tacos in Leichhardt on a whim, or Rozelle locals catching a gig in St Leonards without the long haul.

By 2028, getting across the city might just be easier than deciding which side has the better coffee.

Looking for more? Check out:

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Main image credit: Transport for NSW | Website