Length:

46 km (Kellyville to Lane Cove North: 32 km)

Termini:

Eastern: Pacific Highway (A1), Gore Hill Freeway (M1) and Longueville Road, Lane Cove North.

Western: Bridge Street and Macquarie Street (A9), Windsor.

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Lane Cove North, North Ryde, Macquarie Park, Marsfield, Epping, Cheltenham, Beecroft, Carlingford, North Rocks, Baulkham Hills and Bella Vista.

Current: M2 A2

Former: 2 28 40

Road Authority Internal Classification: ¹

6002 (Baulkham Hills to Lane Cove North)

MR635 (Beaumont Hills to Baulkham Hills)

General Information:

M2 / A2 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) ². It passes through inner city suburbs, residential areas, light industrial areas and semi-rural areas.

The Hills Motorway segment of M2 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 motorway 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. ²

Lane Cove Tunnel:

24 June 2004: Tunnelling began on the Lane Cove Tunnel. ³

25 March 2007: The 3.6 km length tunnel opened to traffic, with two-lane tunnels, with three lanes provided in long sections. ³

March 2007: Metroad 2 rerouted from Epping and Longueville Roads to the then newly opened Lane Cove Tunnel. ²

Hills Motorway:

26 May 1997: Hills Motorway opened to traffic, given Metroad 2 designation. ²

August 2013: Widening of Hills Motorway completed. ⁴

Old Windsor Road and Windsor Road:

1792 onwards: Construction of what is now named Windsor Road and Old Windsor Road. ²

1794: A road was established between the Green Hills / Hawkesbury area and the older settlement at Parramatta. ²

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). ²

1805: Surveyor James Meehan surveyed an alignment between Parramatta and Kellyville which became the basis for the (New) Windsor Road in 1813. ²

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. ²

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. ²

1810s: Governor Macquarie introduced a toll system on the Windsor Road with toll gates north of Parramatta and south of Rouse Hill. ²

11 September 1833: Windsor Road was proclaimed as a Main Road and gazetted, with Old Windsor Road being declared a Parish Road. ²

1849: The Windsor Road Trust was formed to oversee maintenance of the Windsor Road. ²

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. ²

1948: Shoulders of the Windsor Road were widened to 22 feet to provide for anticipated traffic. ²

March 2002: Upgrade to four lanes from Sunnyholt Road to Merriville Road, Kellyville completed. ²

October 2002: Upgrade to four lanes from Norbrik to Celebration Drive, Bella Vista completed. ²

February 2003: Intersection improvements at Old Windsor Road and Seven Hills Road, and Seven Hills Road to Abbott Road, Seven Hills completed. ²

December 2004: Upgrade to four lanes from Norwest Boulevard to Showground Road, Castle Hill completed. ²

July 2006: Upgrade to four lanes from Roxborough Park Road to Norwest Boulevard, Baulkham Hills completed, also the upgrade to four lanes from Acres Road to Old Windsor Road, Kellyville completed. ²

September 2006: Upgrade to four lanes from Boundary Road to Level Crossing Road, Vineyard completed. ²

Lane Cove to Windsor

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Hills Mwy (M2) at North Ryde approaching the Epping Rd exit, January 2017.

Image © Spenser Tan

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Carlingford after Pennant Hills Rd (A28) interchange, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Tolling Sign:

Tolling options sign at North Rocks, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at North Rocks approaching Windsor Rd interchange, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at North Rocks approaching Windsor Rd interchange, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Windsor Road Interchange:

ID sign at Windsor Rd interchange at Northmead, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Toll Charges Sign:

Toll charges sign with remnant Metroad 2 shield on the ramp from Windsor Rd at Northmead, October 2017.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign on the Cropley Dr overpass, Northmead, October 2017.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Winston Hills approaching Old Windsor Rd (A40), Westlink (M7) and Abbott Rd interchange, October 2017.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Winston Hills approaching Old Windsor Rd (A40), Westlink (M7) and Abbott Rd interchange, October 2017.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:

RD sign showing next exits, Winston Hills, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Tolling Sign:

Tolling options sign at Winston Hills for Westlink (M7), October 2017.

Image © Paul Rands

Abbott Road Interchange:

Hills Mwy (M2) at the Abbott Rd interchange, Winston Hills, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign on Old Windsor Rd (A2) at Seven Hills, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Seven Hills Rd at Seven Hills, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the corner of Old Windsor Rd (A2) and Seven Hills Rd in Seven Hills, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the corner of Old Windsor Rd (A2) and Seven Hills Rd in Seven Hills, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Bella Vista, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Westlink Interchange:

Old Windsor Road (A2) as it passes under Westlink (M7) at Bella Vista, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Norbrik Dr, Bella Vista, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Norbrik Dr, Bella Vista, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Norbrik Drive:

Old Windsor Rd (A2) at the Norbrik Dr junction, Bella Vista, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Bella Vista approaching Norwest Blvd, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign approaching Norwest Blvd, Bella Vista, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Norwest Blvd, Bella Vista, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Norwest Boulevard:

Norwest Blvd interchange, Bella Vista, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on the off ramp to Norwest Blvd, Bella Vista, September 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:

RD sign on Windsor Road at Riverstone. July 2007.

Image © Paul Mech

Windsor to Lane Cove

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign, southbound on Old Windsor Rd at Baulkham Hills approaching the interchange with Hills Mwy (M2), October 2017.

Image © Paul Rands

Start M2:

Sign as Westlink (M7) joins Hills Mwy (M2) at Baulkham Hills, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Langdon Road:

Hills Mwy (M2) as it passes under Langdon Rd at Baulkham Hills, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Baulkham Hills for Windsor Rd interchange, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Gooden Reserve:

Hills Mwy (M2) as it passes under the pedestrian walkway for Gooden Reserve at Baulkham Hills, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Baulkham Hills for Windsor Rd interchange, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Cropley Drive:

Hills Mwy (M2) at Baulkham Hills as it passes under Cropley Dr, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Windsor Road:

Hills Mwy (M2) at the Windsor Rd interchange, with Watkins Rd in the foreground, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Windsor Road:

Hills Mwy (M2) at the Windsor Rd interchange, Baulkham Hills, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Tolling Sign:

Tolling options sign at Baulkham Hills, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:

RD sign with remnant Metroad 6 shield at North Rocks, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Barclay Road:

Hills Mwy (M2) as it passes under Barclay Rd at North Rocks, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at North Rocks approaching Pennant Hills Rd (A28) interchange, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign at North Rocks approaching Pennant Hills Rd (A28) interchange, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at North Rocks approaching Pennant Hills Rd (A28) interchange, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Pennant Hills Road Interchange:

Hills Mwy (M2) at the Pennant Hills Rd (A28) interchange at West Pennant Hills, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Toll Charges Sign:

Toll charge sign approaching the toll gantry on the off ramp to Pennant Hills Rd (A28) at West Pennant Hills, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on the Pennant Hills Rd (A28) off ramp at West Pennant Hills, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

ID sign facing the off ramp to Pennant Hills Rd (A28) at West Pennant Hills, November 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Pennant Hills Road:

Hills Mwy (M2) at the Pennant Hills Rd (Cumberland Hwy) (A28) interchange at West Pennant Hills, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Murray Farm Road:

Hills Mwy (M2) as it passes under Murray Farm Rd at Beecroft, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Beecroft, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Start Variable Speed Limit:

Sign indicating the beginning of variable speed zone, Epping, near Beecroft Rd, July 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Beecroft Road:

Hills Mwy (M2) as it passes under Beecroft Rd at Beecroft, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Lane Changing Prohibited:

Sign prohibiting lane changing in the Epping tunnel, July 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Prepare To Stop:

Prepare to stop signs with flashing warning lights, approaching Epping tunnel, July 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Tunnel Entrance:

Hills Mwy (M2) as it enters the Epping tunnel, July 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Tunnel Entrance:

Hills Mwy (M2) as it enters the Epping tunnel, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Epping Tunnel:

Inside the Epping tunnel, showing variable message signs and lane indicators, July 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Macquarie Park approaching Christie Rd, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Macquarie Park, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Macquarie Park approaching Christie Rd, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign approaching Christie Rd at Macquarie Park, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Toll Charges Sign:

Toll charges signage at Macquarie Park, before the Christie Rd interchange, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Christie Road:

ID sign for Christie Road interchange at Macquarie Park, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Macquarie Park approaching Lane Cove Rd (A3), August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Christie Road:

Hills Mwy (M2) as it passes through the Christie Rd interchange at Macquarie Park, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Macquarie Park approaching Lane Cove Rd (A3), August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Macquarie Park:

Hills Mwy (M2) at Macquarie Park, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Lane Cove Road Interchange:

Hills Mwy (M2) at the Lane Cove Rd (A3) interchange in Macquarie Park, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Macquarie Park on the off ramp to Lane Cove Rd (A3), August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Lane Cove Road:

ID signs facing the off ramp to Lane Cove Rd (A3) at Macquarie Park, August 2015.

Image © Paul Rands

Tolling & Dangerous Goods Signage:

Electronic tolling signage and sign prohibiting dangerous goods inside the Lane Cove Tunnel, July 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Delhi Rd (A38) at Macquarie Park, July 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign assembly at the Delhi Rd (A38) interchange in Macquarie Park, July 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Toll Charges Sign:

Toll charges sign at North Ryde approaching Lane Cove Tunnel (M2), January 2017.

Image © Spenser Tan

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at North Ryde approaching Epping Rd, January 2017.

Image © Spenser Tan

Lane Allocation Sign:

Hills Mwy (M2) at the exit to Epping Rd and entrance to Lane Cove Tunnel (M2) at North Ryde, January 2017.

Image © Spenser Tan