Lane Cove Tunnel Air Quality

Background

The Lane Cove Tunnel opened in March 2007 and connects the Gore Hill Freeway with the M2 Motorway. It is accessible, at a fee, to motorists with electronic billing tags installed in their car. General information is available at the Lane Cove Tunnel and Military Road E-Ramp website.

Air Quality Community Consultative Committee

The Air Quality Community Consultative Committee (AQCCC) was formed to allow input from local government, the community and tunnel operators on air quality monitoring and reporting during the design, construction and operation of the tunnel. AQCCC meeting minutes are available at the Lane Cove Tunnel and Military Road E-Ramp website under Air Quality.

External Air Quality Monitoring

Seven air quality monitoring stations were established in the vicinity of the tunnel alignment to assess impacts of the tunnel, if present, on local air quality. The tunnel exits near the eastern boundary of the Ryde Municipality, and Council therefore insisted that a monitoring station be established nearby at Magdala Park as a check on air pollutant levels in the area. Parameters measured include particulate dust, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Measurement commenced in 2005 in order to establish background pollutant levels prior to the tunnel opening. The data obtained is verified by a third party auditor.

Since commencement of monitoring in 2005, parameters have typically been closely aligned at all monitoring stations, indicating air quality fluctuations are related to air quality in the northern Sydney region. Monitoring information is available at the Lane Cove Tunnel and Military Road E-Ramp website.

Council’s Position on Stack Filtration

At the Council meeting held on Tuesday 8 July 2003, Council resolved “that the RTA be called upon to provide pollution control systems on the emission stacks for the Lane Cove Road Tunnel”. Whilst the design of the tunnel allows for retrofitting of filtration devices, to date the RTA have not agreed to install a filtration system.

Council References to Lane Cove Tunnel Air Quality Issues

Council references to Lane Cove Tunnel air quality issues can be found in past Council Meeting Minutes.