Thread: Sydney M7 open

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/constructionmain..._a4map_0305.pdf

trust in google---- 8)


OMG!
cowpasture road!!!

brings back some VERY (but fun!) illegal memories 8O :wink:

Tollways are crap. Why should we pay again for something we are already being heavily taxed to pay for. I reckon if enough of you people on the eastern seaboard just said get stuffed and drove down the tollways without paying and banded together the toll operator and the government would be stuffed. Legally I am not sure they could stop you - public road and all that.

Tollway or no tollway, Sydney is a NIGHTMARE to navigate! Spent 4 days there last week and was very happy to return to quiet, nicely gridded and perpendicular Melbourne.

I am going to check my eTag account though - I did use the motorways a little but now that people are getting shafted on price I am not sure it was such a good idea.

Even with the M7 - you still cannot drive from the SW outskirts of Sydney to the North of Sydney ie towards Newcastle via a Motorway - still have to fight your way up Penant Hills Road to the F5? (the Highway North) - the designator for all Motorways in Sydney should start with a "F".

Gazzz

I drove up the M7 on Christmas Eve on my way from Canberra to Newcastle. Followed the Newcastle signs and ended up on the M2 so had to pay the toll. Wasn't totally clear where the M7 ended and the M2 started. Newcastle signs take you onto the M2.

Had to go back to Newcastle on New Years Eve - being wary of getting onto the M2 I still managed to get onto it and hit with the toll again.

But something interesting - the start of the M7 to the start of the F3 (Hornsby) via the M2 is 56.2km and took 44 minutes at the 100kph M7 speed limit. Coming back from Newcastle I came back via the Cumberland Highway (the old road). From the end of the F3 at Hornsby to about where the M7 starts near Casula is only 40.5km and only took 38 mins with about the same traffic as the day before.

So - if the old road is shorter, and certainly quicker in non peak hours - why would you pay (in my case with no tag) about $8 to go on the M7, plus another $2.20 for the M2. Sure it is less stressful by not having to stop and start but in most cases going via the M7/M2 will take longer and cost about $10 for for a one way trip.

Oh where do you exit the M7 so you don't end up on the M2 - it is not totally clear from the signs unless you know the area.

Grumbly Gazzz

<span style="color:blue">all these tolls are to pay for the new freeway they are building now that the M7 is finished.....


it will run from lakemba through punchbowl to cronulla.....


it will be called the middle eastern distributor.........</span> 8O

Gaz

A correction that will make things worse: The toll on the M2 is $3.80 8O

The last turn off from the M7 before you hit the M2 is the Old Windsor Road. Then it is through Baulkham Hills then Northmead and onto Pennant Hills Rd north to Wahroonga and onto the fabled F3.

It's just lucky that the Hume Hwy from the Federal Hwy to Liverpool was upgraded from one lane each way before Highway Robbery was instititionalised :wink:

[quote=DEFENDERZOOK]<span style="color:blue">all these tolls are to pay for the new freeway they are building now that the M7 is finished.....


it will run from lakemba through punchbowl to cronulla.....


it will be called the middle eastern distributor.........</span>



Do we have to stop at midday and pray to Mecca 8O :wink: