Eastern Distributor and Hills M2 cashless
The Minister for Roads, Duncan Gay, and the operators of the Eastern Distributor and Hills motorways have announced the conversion of both motorways to cashless operations on 30 January 2012. The motorways will convert to cashless at 12.01am (one minute past midnight on 29 January). This means a simpler, easier and safer journey for motorists, as well as reduced impacts of vehicle noise and emissions on residents.
Expect some changes to normal driving conditions from 30 January. Motorists are advised to drive with care and to follow the signs.
A valid payment arrangement can be made up to 3 days following their first trip on any of Sydney's motorways.
Benefits of the cashless tolling
- increased speed limits and no queuing at cash booths will reduce congestion and improve travel times on the motorways.
- enhanced the safety of motorway operations by reducing lane changing, merging and weaving by cash booths
- simpler and easier by removing the need to have the right money, fumble for coins or plan ahead.
How to pay
Cash toll payments will no longer be available from 30 January.
Motorists using cash will need to make alternative arrangements for payment of future use of the Eastern Distributor or Hills M2. Motorists will be able to pay tolls using existing e-TAG and Visitor's e-PASS products.
Motorists travelling without a valid payment arrangement can contact a tolling provider within 3 days of their first journey to pay their toll via a Visitor's e-PASS.
Motorists are encouraged to find the product right for them by clicking here.
More information on Sydney toll roads, including how to pay, is available at www.sydneymotorways.com.
Changed traffic conditions
Motorists should expect changes to normal traffic conditions on both motorways. These changes will involve lane realignments and changes to speed limits.
Motorists are advised to plan ahead, drive with care and follow the signs.
On the Eastern Distributor, the removal of cash facilities will allow the sign-posted speeds through tolling points to be lifted to 60km/h helping to reduce travel times for motorists.
- Main toll plaza - three traffic lanes will be available through the main toll plaza and will be sign-posted at 60km/h.
- Lane 1 (slow lane) - for traffic accessing the CBD, Macquarie Street and City North.
- Lane 2 and 3 (middle and fast lanes) - for traffic accessing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel, North Sydney and Newcastle.
- William Street toll plaza - two traffic lanes will be available through the William Street toll plaza.
On the Hills M2, an interim arrangement involving changed traffic conditions will be in place during the construction of the Hills M2 Upgrade. Changes to normal traffic conditions will take place at the main toll plaza and Pennant Hills Road toll plazas:
- Main toll plaza, North Ryde - changes to lane alignment will take place through the toll plaza. Motorists exiting at Christie Road off-ramp will no longer divert from the main carriageway in advance of the tolling point. The main carriageway will be temporarily sign-posted at 60km/h while the Hills M2 Upgrade is completed.
- Pennant Hills Road toll plazas - changes to lane configurations will require all traffic to pass through each Pennant Hills toll plaza in a single lane.
Further information
- For more information on tolling products, including e-TAGs and Visitor's e-PASSes, click here.
- For more information on the Hills M2 Upgrade, visit hillsm2.com.au or http://www.hillsm2upgrade.com.au/ or contact 1800 196 266 or via enquiries@hillsm2upgrade.com.au.
- For more information on the Eastern Distributor, call 8356 2200
- For up to date traffic information contact the Transport Management Centre at http://www.livetraffic.com/ or 132 701.
- To learn more about Sydney toll roads and electronic tolling visit http://www.sydneymotorways.com/.