Road Photos & Information: New South Wales

Lane Cove Tunnel, Hills Motorway, Old Windsor Road, Windsor Road & Bridge Street (Metroad 2) - Kellyville to Artarmon

Statistics:

• Length: 46 km
• Eastern Terminus: Pacific Highway (Metroad 1), Gore Hill Freeway (Metroad 1) and Longueville Road, Lane Cove
• Western Terminus: Bridge Street and Macquarie Street, Windsor
• Suburbs, Towns & Localities along route: Lane Cove, Lane Cove West, Lane Cove North, North Ryde, Macquarie Park, Marsfield, Epping, Cheltenham, Beecroft, West Pennant Hills, North Rocks, Baulkham Hills, Winston Hills, Seven Hills, Bella Vista, Glenwood, Kellyville, Beaumont Hills, Rouse Hill, Box Hill, Riverstone, Vineyard, McGraths Hills, Mulgrave and Windsor.

Route Numbering:

• Current:
• Multiplexed with:
• Formerly:
• Forthcoming Alphanumeric:
• Road Authority Internal Classification: Main Road 635 (Old Windsor Road) / Main Road 184 (Windsor Road) 1

General Information:

Metroad 2 is a major route located in the Sydney area, linking the northwestern suburbs with Sydney's inner suburbs, and eventually via, several other routes to the central business district.

The standard of the route varies from multi-laned arterial road through to freeway standard (covered by the 21 km long Hills Mwy) 1. It passes through inner city suburbs, residential areas, light industrial areas and semi-rural areas.

The Hills Motorway segment of Metroad 2 was funded and built by the private sector which will operate, maintain and repair the motorway until 2042, when it will revert to the ownership of the NSW government. The Hills Motorway consists of a four-lane expressway plus a two-lane busway (between the east-bound and west-bound carriageways) from Beecroft Road to Old Windsor Road, breakdown lanes and cyclist lanes. 1

The route has gone through a number of signficant changes since it was introduced, along with Sydney's other Metroads back in the early 1990s. Several changes to routing have occured, massive upgrades between Seven Hills and Windsor and more. Details of the changes are covered in the history section below.

Metroad 2 features the following multiplexes:

• M7 from Abbott Road / Old Windsor Road interchange to Pennant Hills Road (Cumberland Highway) interchange at West Pennant Hills
• State Route 40 from Bridge Street Windsor to Windsor Road at Kellyville.

The introduction of M7 is the first official public display of alphanumeric route numbering in New South Wales, however there has been several instances of incorrectly uncovered alphanumeric shields across the state.

History:

The Roads and Traffic Authority's Heritage Register features a detailed history on the route, and can be found here.

• 1792 onwards: Construction of what is now named Windsor Road and Old Windsor Road. 1
• 1794: A road was established between the Green Hills / Hawkesbury area and the older settlement at Parramatta. 1
• 1797: Governor Hunter ordered landholders to undertake road improvements along the Hawkesbury Road, including widening the road to 20 feet. (This is the date for the creation of the Windsor Road as a carriageway). 1
• 1802: A bridge was constructed at a new South Creek crossing of the Windsor Road, financed by tolls, and replacing the previous punt crossing further east. The current road alignment at South Creek dates from this time. The earlier road alignment, leading to the punt crossing, is reflected in the alignment of the present day Hawkesbury Road. 1
• 1805: Surveyor James Meehan surveyed an alignment between Parramatta and Kellyville which became the basis for the (New) Windsor Road in 1813. 1
• 1810: Governor Macquarie established five towns along the Hawkesbury River: Windsor, Richmond, Pitt Town, Wilberforce, and Castlereagh. A contractor, James Harrex, was engaged to build a new turnpike road between Parramatta and Kellyville, following Meehan's 1805 alignment via Castle Hill. This new alignment would avoid the hilly section (referred to by Governor King in 1803 as "the Seven Hills") of the original (Old) Windsor Road. The new alignment also enabled a more direct route to the Hawkesbury from Sydney. 1
• 1812: Upon the failure of James Harrex to complete the new road works, John Howe took over and completed the contract, which included the construction of 70 bridges. The new road was 32 feet wide and alignment stones marked the carriageway. 1
• 1810s: Governor Macquarie introduced a toll system on the Windsor Road with toll gates north of Parramatta and south of Rouse Hill. 1
• 1816: Construction of a toll house at Rouse Hill. 1
• 11 September 1833: Windsor Road was proclaimed as a Main Road and gazetted, with Old Windsor Road being declared a Parish Road. 1
• 1835 A toll house, the second on the site, was constructed at the South Creek crossing near Windsor. 1
• 1849: The Windsor Road Trust was formed to oversee maintenance of the Windsor Road. 1
• 1853: Fitzroy Bridge constructed across South Creek at Windsor, replacing the earlier Howe's Bridge. 1
• 1924: The Department of Public Works used water-based macadam in reconstructing the Windsor Road near Rouse Hill. Water-based macadam was an improved road surface treatment necessitated by the rapid rise of the motor vehicle. 1
• 1926: A bitumen coating was laid completed on Windsor Road near Rouse Hill, and renewed in 1928-9. 1
• 22 May 1928: Windsor Road, together with Bells Line of Road and the Darling Causeway was announced as Main Road 184. 1
• 1940s: Cutting and filling of the Old Windsor and Windsor Roads was reportedly undertaken by the United States military to prepare evacuation routes should a Japanese invasion take place in Sydney. 1
• 1948: Shoulders of the Windsor Road were widened to 22 feet to provide for anticipated traffic. 1
• 1981-1984: High-level bridges constructed by the Department of Main Roads over Pye's Crossing and Johnston's Bridge. The last unmade section of Old Windsor Road was surfaced by Blacktown and Baulkham Hills Councils. 1
• 26 May 1997: Hills Motorway opens to traffic, given Metroad 2 designation. 1
• October 2002: Upgrade to four lanes from Norbrik to Celebration Drive, Glenwood completed. 1
• March 2002: Upgrade to four lanes from Sunnyholt Road to Merriville Road, Kellyville completed. 1
• June 2002: Upgrade to four lanes from Henry Road to Curtis Road, Vineyard completed. 1
• February 2003: Intersection improvements at Old Windsor Road and Seven Hills Road, and Seven Hills Road to Abbott Road, Seven Hills completed. 1
• August 2003: Upgrade to four lanes from Merriville Road to Scholfields Road, Rouse Hill completed. 1
• April 2004: Upgrade to four lanes from Schofields Road to Mile End Road, Rouse Hill completed, and also the upgrade to four lanes from Level Crossing Road to Henry Road, Vineyard completed, plus the upgrade to four lanes from Curtis Road, Vineyard to Pitt Town Road, McGraths Hill completed. 1
• December 2004: Upgrade to four lanes from Norwest Boulevarde to Showground Road, Castle Hill completed 1
• July 2006: Upgrade to four lanes from Roxborough Park Road to Norwest Boulevards, Baulkham Hills completed, also the upgrade to four lanes from Acres Road to Old Windsor Road, Kellyville completed. 1
• September 2006: Upgrade to four lanes from Boundary Road to Level Crossing Road, Vineyard completed. 1
• December 2006: Upgrade to four lanes opened to traffic from Mile End Road, Rouse Hill to Boundary Road, Box Hill. 1
• March 2007: Metroad 2 rerouted from Epping and Longueville Roads to the then newly opened Lane Cove Tunnel. 1

Kellyville to Artarmon			Artarmon to Kellyville
Preview:	Description:		Preview:	Description:
	Old Windsor Road Inbound at Bella Vista: Old Windsor Road passing through the Westlink M7 interchange, October 2005. Image © Paul Rands			ID Sign: Intersection directional sign on the interchange with Pennant Hills Road at West Pennant Hills. The M7 duplex starts here. September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Seven Hills Road Intersection: This is the intersection with Seven Hills Road at Bella Vista. This intersection has an interesting history. Back in the 1970s, the then DMR installed traffic signals here, then in the late 80s or early 90s, they were replaced with a roundabout, then the traffic congestion got a point that the roundabout then had installed with signals that operated in periods of high traffic, and then with the Old Windsor Road upgrade, the RTA installed full-time signals at the intersection again! October 2005. Image © Paul Rands			Distance Sign: Westbound RD sign after the Pennant Hills Rd interchange at Carlingford. September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: Large AD sign for the approaching intersection with Hills Motorway and Abbott Road, Baulkham Hills southbound, October 2005. Image © Paul Rands			Tolling Sign: Sign indicating automated tolling options available for Metroad 2, westbound at North Rocks, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Intersection Directional Sign: Sign on the intersection with the Hills Motorway and Abbott Road at Baulkham Hills. October 2005. Image © Paul Rands			Windsor Road Advance Directional Sign: Heading west at North Rocks, this is the AD sign for the Windsor Road exit, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Abbott Road (eastbound) at Seven Hills, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands			Antill Street Approach: Southbound at Watson, approaching Antill Street, note the white lines across the lanes - they're used to alert drivers to the upcoming roundabout as they come out of an 80 km/h zone. September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign facing Abbott Road at Seven Hills as you pass under the T-Way bus only bridge at the junction with Old Windsor Road and Hills Motorway, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands			Windsor Road Interchange: Windsor Road Interchange at Baulkham Hills, heading west. September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Windsor Road / Hills Motorway Interchange: Eastbound at Winston Hills as you enter the interchange with the Hills Motorway. September 2007. Note the recent but freeway green prohibition sign. Image © Paul Rands			Tolling Sign: Sign indicating tolling options available to motorists who don't have an e-tag, westbound at Winston Hills, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: RD sign as you enter the Hills Motorway at Winston Hills. This is where the M7 duplex begins. Looking southeast, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands			Distance Sign: Westbound at Winston Hills, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Welcome Sign: Sign announcing the Hills M2 Motorway, September 2007, as you pass under the Langdon Road overpass at Winston Hills. Image © Paul Rands			Distance Sign: Signage on the Cropley Drive overpass at Winston Hills, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: Eastbound RD sign as you pass through the North Rocks area, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for Old Windsor Road / Abbott Road interchange, westbound through Winston Hills, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental AD Sign: Eastbound supplemental advance directional sign at North Rocks for the Pennant Hills Road (Metroad 6 / 7) interchange, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands			Supplemental AD Sign: Sign located at Winston Hills indicating the Old Windsor Road interchange is the last untolled exit before the tolling begins for the Westlink M7, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: Eastbound RD sign approaching Pennant Hills Road interchange at Carlingford, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands			Advance Directional Sign: Westbound through Winston Hills, approaching Abbott Road / Old Windsor Road interchange. September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Dangerous Goods Sign: Regulatory sign banning dangerous goods from the Epping Tunnel and offering an alternate route. September 2007 at Carlingford. Image © Paul Rands			Toll Options Sign: Sign showing what forms of payment are accepted to access the fully automated tolling system used on the Westlink M7. September 2007 at Winston Hills. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for the Pennant Hills Road interchange at Carlingford, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands			Abbott Road Interchange: Looking northwest at the Abbott Road interchange at Winston Hills. September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	ID Sign: Intersection directional signage at the Pennant Hills Road interchange at West Pennant Hills, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands			Start Westlink M7 Sign: Sign indicating the beginning of the Westlink M7 at Winston Hills, September 2007. This sign is here despite the M7 duplex from Pennant Hills Road interchange. It's purpose is probably to indicate the beginning of distanced based tolling for Westlink M7. Image © Paul Rands
	Toll Charges Sign: Sign indicating toll charges as you approach the toll plaza on the Pennant Hills Road interchange at West Pennant Hills, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on the Abbott Road / Old Windsor Road interchange at Winston Hills, September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign & Toll Plaza: Approaching the Toll Plaza on the eastbound ramps of the Pennant Hills Road interchange at Pennant Hills. Image © Paul Rands			ID Sign: Westbound AD sign facing Hills Motorway traffic at the junction with Abbott Road and Old Windsor Road at Winston Hills. September 2007. Image © Paul Rands
	Epping Tunnel: Eastbound entrance to the Epping Tunnel, which travels under several residential buildings and Epping Oval. April 2007. Image © Transurban
	Toll Plaza: Looking southeast from Culloden Road overpass at Macquarie Park, towards the main Hills Mwy toll plaza. April 2007 Image © Transurban
	Lane Cove Road Interchange: Travelling southeast as you pass through the Lane Cove Rd (Metroad 3) interchange at Macquarie Park, March 2007. Image © David Whiteman
	Toll Options Sign: Sign showing what forms of payment are accepted to access the fully automated tolling system used on the Lane Cove Tunnel. March 2007 at Macquarie Park. Image © David Whiteman
	Overheight Signage: Warning signs design to flash when an oversized vehicle is approaching the Lane Cove Tunnel. Looking southeast at Macquarie Park. March 2007. Image © David Whiteman
	Supplemental AD Sign: Supplemental advance directional indicating the upcoming interchange is the last exit to Epping Road. Macquarie Park, March 2007. Image © David Whiteman
	Approaching Delhi Road Interchange: Southbound approaching Delhi Road (SR29) at Macquarie Park, March 2007. Image © David Whiteman
	Delhi Road Interchange: Southbound as you pass through the Delhi Road interchange at Macquarie Park. March 2007. Image © David Whiteman
	Delhi Road Interchange: Southbound as you pass through the Delhi Road interchange at Macquarie Park. March 2007. Image © David Whiteman
	Mowbray Road and Lane Cove Tunnel Portal: Looking southeast as you approach the Lane Cove Tunnel near Mowbray Road at Lane Cove North, March 2007. Image © David Whiteman
	Lane Cove Tunnel Eastbound Portal: Entering the eastbound tunnel of the Lane Cove Tunnel. March 2007. For a full rundown of the tunnel, click here. Image © David Whiteman
	Inside Lane Cove Tunnel: Inbound tunnel of the Lane Cove Tunnel as it makes its way under Lane Cove North, March 2007. Image © David Whiteman
	End Metroad 2: The eastern end of the Lane Cove Tunnel at Artarmon marks the end of Metroad 2, as it meets with Metroad 1 (Gore Hill Fwy) and the interchange with Pacific Hwy (Metroad 1), March 2007. Image © David Whiteman
Click here for the continuation of Metroad 2 between Kellyville and Windsor

1 Roads and Traffic Authority

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