Sydney Bypass

The Lane Cove section was abandoned for environmental reasons, leaving the then Sydney-Newcastle Freeway (now Pacific Motorway) to terminate at Pennant Hills Road.

[1] In 2001, at the same time as announcing commencement of the M7, the federal government proposed that the M7 would form part of a bypass route, with a new road branching off the M1 near Mount White and crossing the Hawkesbury River with a new high-level bridge to join the M7 at its distinct northwestern corner.

One of these, following the Hornsby - Epping railway line near the M1 and underneath Pennant Hills Road towards the M2, was selected as the preferred option.

[6] On 17 February 2007, the Hon Jim Lloyd MP (the federal Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads) announced the establishment of an independent review of the F3 to M7 Corridor Selection.

The conclusions of the report were that the proposed tunnels should proceed but that planning for the longer term connection between the Pacific Motorway and the M7 should also commence immediately.

The northern half, however, now veers further to the west to meet the eastern end of the WestConnex M4, but achieves the same connection to Victoria Road via the Rozelle Interchange and Iron Cove Link.

It would also include tunnel links to the Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation in Balgowlah and an upgraded Wakehurst Parkway at Frenchs Forest.