History

The M5 East Freeway links the M5 Motorway at Beverly Hills with General Holmes Drive at Sydney Airport and on to the Eastern Distributor. The M5 was widened from two to four lanes between Fairford Road and King Georges Road to assist traffic flow. A four-lane carriageway extending from Canberra and Bookham (west of Yass) to Sydney CBD was then created when the M5 East opened.

The M5 East Freeway is 9 kilometres in length and includes twin four kilometre tunnels and a 550 metre tunnel under the Cooks River. The M5 East is an important link in the Sydney Orbital network. The M5 East significantly improves access between south western Sydney, the city, and the major industrial and commercial areas of South Sydney.

The freeway has reduced traffic congestion in residential areas, improved traffic flow and removed heavy vehicles from key local roads, with safety, noise and air pollution benefits for the community.

In December 1997 the RTA was given planning approval to proceed with the project, subject to 150 conditions.

In August 1998 the State Government awarded the tender to design, build, operate and maintain the M5 East Freeway for 10 years, to the Baulderstone Hornibrook, Bilfinger+Berger Joint Venture.

In December 2001 the M5 East Freeway was opened to traffic.

In June 2006 the Roads Minister announced plans to improve air quality in the M5 East tunnel. See M5 East filtration plant  for more information.

In July 2007 the Department of Planning granted approval for the RTA to construct a filtration plant with monitoring and reporting. See M5 East filtration plant  for more information.