Sydney Gateway

In November 2017, the project was in the design and planning phase that includes developing connections to the St Peters interchange, to Sydney Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3, grade separation of Robey Street and O’Riordan Street in Mascot, the duplication of a 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) section of the Port Botany Rail Line, within a complex stakeholder environment, with significant utility assets impacted and a heavily congested area.[5] A 2017 proposal by Lendlease was not accepted.[8] The rail line duplication was originally Stage 2 of the Sydney Gateway and is separately managed by the Australian Rail Track Corporation.[3] Stages 1 and 3 then formed the remainder of the project managed by the state government.[9][10]

The proposed alignment passes over Sydney Airport land, which is leased from the Commonwealth government. As such, the project must undergo both state and Commonwealth (federal) planning processes. In addition to an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as required by state planning process, a Major Development Plan (MDP) is also required before major development at a leased airport can occur. Planning approvals from both the federal and state planning ministers are also required.[11] A combined EIS and MDP was released for exhibition on 20 November 2019.[12] The project was approved by the state planning minister on 27 August 2020.[13] By November 2020, the project was also approved by the federal planning minister.[14]

Expressions of interest to construct the Sydney Gateway commenced in July 2019.[2] In October 2019, three shortlists were announced:[15]

• AirPortConnex led by Salini Impregilo
• John Holland and Seymour Whyte joint venture
• CPB Contractors

In November 2020, the John Holland Seymour Whyte joint venture was awarded the design and construction contract.[14] Construction is expected to begin in early 2021 and be open in 2024.[1] It was originally planned to open in 2023 together with the M4–M5 Link.