Gore Hill Freeway

The Gore Hill Freeway is a four kilometre divided road between Merrenburn Avenue, Naremburn and the Pacific Highway, Lane Cove. The Freeway links the Warringah Freeway to harbour crossings from the north. It also connects with Longueville Road and the Pacific Highway at Lane Cove, Reservoir Road at Artarmon and Willoughby Road at Willoughby. The primary function of the Freeway is to provide an alternative high-grade route from St Leonards to Lane Cove and to reduce traffic demands on the Pacific Highway throughout the region. The Gore Hill Freeway was completed in 1992.

RTA vision

The RTA initiated the Gore Hill Freeway project in response to increasing congestion on the Pacific Highway between St Leonards and Lane Cove and increasing traffic volumes on local roads.The freeway was designed to increase the capacity of the regional road network and to sustantially reduce travel times and distances travelled by motorists, as well as to provide a direct link to The Sydney Orbital Network.

The RTA has a holistic approach to designing and planning its road projects. In addition to considering traffic flow, travel times and public transport, urban design concerns feature prominently. These include environmental and heritage considerations, connectivity, local community needs, supporting green travel and enhancing urban environments. The RTA strives to ensure that each road project adds value to local communities.

Road users

Road users benefit from:

• Quicker journey times between St Leonards and Lane Cove.
• Reduced traffic volumes on the Pacific Highway.
• Inclusion of T2 transit lanes in both directions on the Freeway (built as part of the Lane Cove Tunnel Project).
• Access between the Gore Hill Freeway and the Pacific Highway north of Longueville Road via a new link along the line of Baden Powell Street.

Public transport

Public transport users benefit from:

• Improved travel times for public transport travelling to and from the Sydney CBD.
• Improved reliability of local bus services as a result of through traffic diverted to the Gore Hill Freeway.

Local community

Local residents benefit from:

• Reduced traffic noise.
• Improved local air quality.
• Reduced traffic volumes on local roads in the lower North Shore.

Key features

RTA road projects aim to provide safe and efficient travel for all road users. Many road projects also include significant features which beautify our city and create a desirable and enjoyable urban landscape. For instance, installing cycleways provides people with green travel and leisure opportunities. Upgrades to parks and roadside landscaping enhance the amenity of urban environments. Preserving heritage sites protects the historical riches of our city and inspires civic pride.

Features of the Gore Hill Freeway Project include the following.

Chelmsford Avenue pedestrian underpass

An underpass east of the north shore railway line provides safe access for pedestrians and cyclists at Chelmsford Avenue.

Indigenous imagery

The retaining walls at the Naremburn and Pacific Highway underpasses feature animal shapes that originated from indigenous rock carvings. These shapes were reproduced and drilled onto the ribs of the walls by indigenous students.

Native plant preservation

Prior to construction, the seeds of native plants growing along the corridor site were collected and stored. These were later propagated and replanted, or allowed to self-seed in the same area.