M4 Toll-Free from Feb 15 onwards (1 Viewer)

[seremify007]

For those who didn't know, the M4 is being handed back to NSW State Govt to manage... whom will then make it free. Yes this increases traffic congestion but it means a more direct route for those of us travelling from Parramatta Rd onto the motorway and wish to get off at Parramatta (nearest to the shops) or to keep on driving until Blacktown/etc...

URL: M4 Western Motorway

 

[Azamakumar]

I can't wait for this, personally. I just take great western highway/parra rd from home for 2 reasons - learners permit wouldn't let me go faster than 80 anyway and taking the tolls each way would more than double (disregarding cashback) my $20/week transport costs for 5 days of commuting to the city/uni.

It only took about 45 minutes in peak hour (love motorcycles) and thats only going to get better for me now that everyone wants to get on teh M4. Sucks for all the regular users.

EDIT: previous estimates of +15 minutes each way during peak is ridiculous. Should've kept the toll there to fund the M4 extension or at the very least moderate the traffic flow.

 

[seremify007]

EDIT: previous estimates of +15 minutes each way during peak is ridiculous. Should've kept the toll there to fund the M4 extension or at the very least moderate the traffic flow.

I think we'll just have to wait and see how traffic congestion changes after the toll is removed

 

[Riet]

The elimination of a significant slowpoint would more than likely make up for the added traffic I'm guessing. Will be of benefit on the GWH up to a point. That point being strathfield. Like you said, it moderates the flow of traffic. Keep the toll to fund a tunnel from five dock to strathfield IMO.

 

[ambermorn]

Meanwhile the M2 is a fucking ripoff why isn't there any cashback scheme like the M5?

Good news about M4 though.

 

[Azamakumar]

I imagine the differences in traffic will be directly around where the tollbooth is now - people that want to get from parramatta to strathfield/homebush without having to sit through the tonne of lights on parra rd.

I doubt it's a slow point as well, automatic tolling's done wonders for the flow of traffic. It'll be pure congestion from the james ruse onramp all the way to the end at strathfield.

 

[seremify007]

I imagine the differences in traffic will be directly around where the tollbooth is now - people that want to get from parramatta to strathfield/homebush without having to sit through the tonne of lights on parra rd.

I doubt it's a slow point as well, automatic tolling's done wonders for the flow of traffic. It'll be pure congestion from the james ruse onramp all the way to the end at strathfield.

Agreed but at least it won't all be bulked up at Silverwater Rd anymore.

As for M2... I agree. Taking the tollway in from the Hills is expensive once you factor in bridge and LCT.

 

[SashatheMan]

Great news.

 

[Riet]

I imagine the differences in traffic will be directly around where the tollbooth is now - people that want to get from parramatta to strathfield/homebush without having to sit through the tonne of lights on parra rd.

I doubt it's a slow point as well, automatic tolling's done wonders for the flow of traffic. It'll be pure congestion from the james ruse onramp all the way to the end at strathfield.

Nah having everyone slow down, even if it's only to 80 km/h makes a noticeable difference I reckon. Parra Rd from Strathfield to City West Link is still gonna be fucked as.

 

[Azamakumar]

If there's any manner of congestion, its not the speed through the tolls that builds up traffic so much as merging/leaving traffic. If you use it as often as I do, you'd know that if there is no build up of traffic people just gun it right through.

Also that leg of the run between M4 and the city is my favourite. Get off at concord rd and take gipps/queen st to the city west link. Fang it through the bicycle lanes when traffic stops and do max doughies in the gravel.

 

[Riet]

ahaha you can't do that on a car and going through fivedock is slower than parra rd. Yeah, the merging has a huge effect I was trying to remember the term for it, conflict point? whatever, yeah.

 

[Azamakumar]

Anyone used it yet? Went through last night. They've pulled all the booths out but it's still a complete mess - they've put those giant orange fake median strip thingys everywhere to guide traffic through one lane of the booths or the 2 e tag lanes.

Going to be a massive accident before they fix it up properly.

 

[untouchablecuz]

Anyone used it yet? Went through last night. They've pulled all the booths out but it's still a complete mess - they've put those giant orange fake median strip thingys everywhere to guide traffic through one lane of the booths or the 2 e tag lanes.

Going to be a massive accident before they fix it up properly.

yep last night

pretty busy

 

[seremify007]

I'm finding the new M4 tollfree to be pretty fast (compared to alternative of using Victoria Rd) from James Ruse Dr. That being said I tend to only drive back to city at night (after 9pm) so it's not crowded. Only annoyance are the hoons who want to race on Parra Rd.