A decision on the proposed F6 extension, including the precise route, which sections will be in tunnel and where entry and exit ramps will be located, could be known within a year.
However, construction could be delayed by the government giving a higher priority to a tunnel on the north shore to bypass the Spit Bridge.
Premier Gladys Berejikjlian, who is facing difficult by-elections in the seats of North Shore and Manly, told a radio station in the area she would have “more to say” about the matter in coming weeks.
Expectations were increased by Jillian Skinner, who has resigned as the MP for North Shore, saying in a pamphlet she had seen plans for the tunnel.
Cronulla MP and Attorney-General Mark Speakman is understood to have been lobbying heavily within the government to ensure the F6 extension is not delayed by the north shore initiative.
Ms Berejiklian’s office provided no reassurance on the matter, referring questions from the Leader to new Roads Minister Melinda Pavey.
A spokesman for Ms Pavey also avoided the question of priority.
“The NSW Government is continuing geotechnical and traffic studies to plan for a future extension of the F6 in Southern Sydney,” he said.
“The 2016-17 budget included $11.6 million to allow this work to proceed.
“The government has committed $300 million to the Gateway to the South program to bust congestion in the short term.”
Mr Speakman would not comment on any discussions he may have had within the government on the issue, but provided more comprehensive details than those from Ms Pavey’s office.
He said, since 2011, a total of $46 million had been allocated for planning the F6 extension.
“Last year, the government carried out $26 million of geotechnoical testing survey work and did traffic counts and environmental studies along the F6,” he said.
“In December, the government approved a further $20 million for more detailed investigations.
“We would not be spending that sort of money if we were not serious about building the F6.”
Mr Speakman said he and other Liberals from the shire, St George and the Illawarra wanted to see construction start as soon as possible.
“I would expect a decision at the end of this year or in 2018 when these investigations are done,” he said.
“These investigations will inform the precise route and which of it is in tunnel, where the entry and exit ramps will go and whether it’s built in one go or in stages.”
Mr Speakman said the study that was completed in 2016 was “an internal government analysis of rock and soil conditions, and the business case”.
An alternative route through the Menai had been looked at, and rejected, he said.
Mr Speakman said the detailed planning had a positive side.
“When it’s built, it will have been thoroughly modelled and having spent the money on the planning will have been worthwhile,” he said.
“All this only started in 2011 because the previous government abandoned plans and the previous member for Miranda (Barry Collier) said it would be built over his dead body,” he said.