Sydney’s newest motorway is nearing completion – and it’s set to transform travel to Australia’s next major airport. The M12 Motorway, a $2.1 billion toll-free road, will provide a direct connection between the M7 Motorway at Cecil Hills and The Northern Road at Luddenham, linking motorists straight to the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

Construction began in August 2022, with completion expected before the airport’s opening in late 2026. Jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments, the M12 is part of the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan (WSIP) – a $4.4 billion initiative to deliver an integrated transport network and unlock the region’s economic potential.

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Key Points

• 16 km east–west motorway between the M7 and The Northern Road.
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• Four lanes (expandable to six) with a central median for safety.
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• Expected to carry up to 30,000 vehicles per day.
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• Includes new pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure with lighting.

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Project Significance

The M12 Motorway is more than a new road –  it’s the backbone of Western Sydney’s future transport network. Once complete, it will cut travel times, ease congestion, and strengthen freight movement across one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia.

Crucially, it connects to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, ensuring smooth access for residents, businesses, and freight operators. By diverting heavy traffic from local roads and creating new cycling and walking paths, the M12 also balances growth with safety and liveability.

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Further Details: A Key Link in Sydney’s Expanding Network

The M12 will open by 2026, ahead of passenger flights at the new airport. Its connection to the M7 aligns with Transurban’s M7 widening project, which will boost capacity along Sydney’s western corridor. Together, the two projects will support future population growth and enhance links between Sydney’s north-west, the new airport, and key employment zones.

The M12 marks a major milestone in Western Sydney’s transformation –  turning paddocks into precincts and connecting Australia’s newest international gateway to the rest of the city.