Road Photos & Information: New South Wales: Lane Cove Tunnel, Hills Motorway, Old Windsor Road & Windsor Road (M2 / A2)

Road Photos & Information: New South Wales

M2 A2

Lane Cove Tunnel, Hills Motorway, Old Windsor Road & Windsor Road (M2 / A2)

Statistics:

Length: 46 km
Eastern Terminus: Pacific Highway (A1), Gore Hill Freeway (M1) and Longueville Road, Lane Cove
Western Terminus: Bridge Street and Macquarie Street (A9), 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: M2 A2

Former:

Multiplexes: M7
Road Authority Internal Classification: Main Road 635 (Old Windsor Road) / Main Road 184 (Windsor Road) 1

General Information:

M2 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 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. 1

M2 features the following multiplexes:

M7 from Abbott Road / Old Windsor Road interchange to Pennant Hills Road (Cumberland Highway) interchange at West Pennant Hills.

History:

The Roads and Maritime Service'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
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 Schofields 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 Boulevard to Showground Road, Castle Hill completed 1
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. 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

Lane Cove to Windsor		Windsor To Lane Cove
Preview:	Description:	Preview:	Description:
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Hills Mwy (M2) at North Ryde approaching the Epping Rd exit, January 2017. Image © Spenser Tan		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
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Carlingford after Pennant Hills Rd (A28) interchange, November 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Start M2: Sign as Westlink (M7) joins Hills Mwy (M2) at Baulkham Hills, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Tolling Sign: Tolling options sign at North Rocks, November 2013. 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 North Rocks approaching Windsor Rd interchange, November 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Baulkham Hills for Windsor Rd interchange, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at North Rocks approaching Windsor Rd interchange, November 2013. 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
	Windsor Road Interchange: ID sign at Windsor Rd interchange at Northmead, November 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Baulkham Hills for Windsor Rd interchange, 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		Cropley Drive: Hills Mwy (M2) at Baulkham Hills as it passes under Cropley Dr, November 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign on the Cropley Dr overpass, Northmead, October 2017. Image © Paul Rands		Windsor Road: Hills Mwy (M2) at the Windsor Rd interchange, with Watkins Rd in the foreground, November 2013. 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		Windsor Road: Hills Mwy (M2) at the Windsor Rd interchange, Baulkham Hills, November 2013. 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		Tolling Sign: Tolling options sign at Baulkham Hills, November 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: RD sign showing next exits, Winston Hills, November 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Distance Sign: RD sign with remnant Metroad 6 shield at North Rocks, November 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Tolling Sign: Tolling options sign at Winston Hills for Westlink (M7), October 2017. Image © Paul Rands		Barclay Road: Hills Mwy (M2) as it passes under Barclay Rd at North Rocks, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Abbott Road Interchange: Hills Mwy (M2) at the Abbott Rd interchange, Winston Hills, November 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at North Rocks approaching Pennant Hills Rd (A28) interchange, November 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: Reassurance directional sign on Old Windsor Rd (A2) at Seven Hills, September 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 approaching Seven Hills Rd at Seven Hills, September 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at West Pennant Hills approaching Pennant Hills Rd (A28) interchange, November 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		Pennant Hills Road Interchange: Hills Mwy (M2) at the Pennant Hills Rd (A28) interchange at West Pennant Hills, November 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		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
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Bella Vista, September 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
	Westlink Interchange: Old Windsor Road (A2) as it passes under Westlink (M7) at Bella Vista, September 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign facing the off ramp to Pennant Hills Rd (A28) at West Pennant Hills, November 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Norbrik Dr, Bella Vista, September 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
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Norbrik Dr, Bella Vista, September 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Murray Farm Road: Hills Mwy (M2) as it passes under Murray Farm Rd at Beecroft, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Norbrik Drive: Old Windsor Rd (A2) at the Norbrik Dr junction, Bella Vista, September 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Beecroft, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Bella Vista approaching Norwest Blvd, September 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Start Variable Speed Limit: Sign indicating the beginning of variable speed zone, Epping, near Beecroft Rd, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign approaching Norwest Blvd, Bella Vista, September 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Beecroft Road: Hills Mwy (M2) as it passes under Beecroft Rd at Beecroft, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Norwest Blvd, Bella Vista, September 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Lane Changing Prohibited: Sign prohibiting lane changing in the Epping tunnel, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Norwest Boulevard: Norwest Blvd interchange, Bella Vista, September 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Prepare To Stop: Prepare to stop signs with flashing warning lights, approaching Epping tunnel, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign on the off ramp to Norwest Blvd, Bella Vista, September 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

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Last updated: 01-Jul-2020 11:39

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