Sydney’s long-awaited M12 Motorway will open to traffic this weekend, marking a major milestone in the infrastructure rollout supporting the new Western Sydney International Airport.
The 16-kilometre motorway, linking the M7 Motorway to The Northern Road, will begin operating in the early hours of 14 March 2026 after four years of construction.
The project was jointly funded by the NSW and federal governments at a total cost of about $2.1 billion.
A formal opening ceremony will be held with Chris Minns and federal infrastructure minister Catherine King cutting the ribbon on the new motorway.
Key road link to Western Sydney Airport
The M12 has been described as the “driveway” to Western Sydney’s new international airport, which is scheduled to begin passenger operations in October 2026.
Once open, the motorway is expected to significantly improve access to the airport precinct and surrounding suburbs, while reducing congestion on local roads.
Government estimates suggest the road could remove around 25,000 vehicles per day from nearby residential routes.
Minns said the project would transform connectivity across Western Sydney.
“Communities in Western Sydney deserve this world-class infrastructure which will ease pressure on local roads, cut travel times and improve connectivity with the rest of Sydney’s road network,” he said.
“From Saturday, thousands of motorists will have the chance to use this new motorway for the very first time to more quickly and easily get to where they need to go.”
Construction scale and environmental works
The project required extensive earthworks, with builders moving approximately 2.6 million cubic metres of soil, equivalent to the volume of 1,064 Olympic swimming pools.
Authorities also say more than 18,500 trees have been planted as part of landscaping and environmental restoration works along the motorway corridor.
Unlike several other major motorway projects in Sydney, the M12 will be toll-free.
However, connections linking motorists to other parts of the motorway network may still involve toll roads operated by Transurban.
Further transport links still to come
A direct interchange connecting the M12 to the M7 at Cecil Hills is expected to be completed later in 2026, improving traffic flow between the two motorways.
Public transport access to the airport is also still under development.
A new Sydney Metro rail line connecting the airport to the wider rail network is scheduled to open in late 2027.
Until that rail connection is operational, governments have announced a free bus service to help travellers reach nearby public transport hubs.
The opening of the M12 marks one of the first major pieces of transport infrastructure completed ahead of Western Sydney Airport’s launch, as authorities race to prepare road and rail links for the airport’s debut later this year.
