Toll roads in Australia

Overview of toll roads in Australia

See also: Freeways in Australia

EastLink northbound toll gantry near Wellington Road in Rowville CityLink signage in Melbourne

Australian toll roads are found in the eastern states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The majority of toll roads in Australia are in Sydney, but there are also toll roads in Melbourne, Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba.

Most of the toll roads are partially owned or operated by Transurban. All toll roads in Australia are tolled electronically (cashless) using free-flow tolling. All toll collection points are toll gantries, with the last cash toll booths in the country closed in July 2013 on the M5 South West Motorway.

Tolls are collected from an e-TAG transponder attached to the vehicle's windscreen. The first e-TAG was developed in the 1990s by Transurban who owns and operates the CityLink in Melbourne in preparation for what would be one of the world's first 'fully electronic' tollways. There are different e-TAG retailers across the country, such as Transurban's Linkt or Transport for NSW's e-Toll.

According to Professor Mark Hickman, the chair of Transport at the University of Queensland's School of Civil Engineering, toll roads in Australia have not reached expected traffic volumes and do not always relieve congestion in the short-term.[1] Melbourne's CityLink tollway (M1 and M2 sections) carry the highest volume of traffic and also generate the highest revenue of all the tollways (by a substantial amount). This is mainly due to the necessary cross-city and North (Melbourne Airport-bound) corridors.

## Current toll roads

[edit]

Toll Road[2][3][4][5] | Location  | State  | Toll Point

|
|
|

Eastern Distributor | Woolloomooloo | NSW  | Woolloomooloo (Northbound)
Military Road E-Ramps  | Neutral Bay | NSW  | Neutral Bay
Sydney Harbour Bridge | Sydney to North Sydney | NSW  | North Sydney and Milsons Point (Southbound)
Sydney Harbour Tunnel | Sydney to North Sydney | NSW  | North Sydney (Southbound)
Lane Cove Tunnel | Artarmon to North Ryde | NSW  | North Ryde
M2 Hills Motorway | North Ryde to Baulkham Hills | NSW  | Multiple
M4 Motorway | Parramatta to Leichhardt | NSW  | Multiple
South Western Motorway | Beverly Hills to Moorebank | NSW  | Multiple
M5 East Motorway | Beverly Hills to Kyeemagh | NSW  | Multiple
Westlink M7 Motorway | Baulkham Hills to Prestons | NSW  | Multiple
M8 Motorway | Kingsgrove to Leichhardt | NSW  | Multiple
NorthConnex | Wahroonga to West Pennant Hills | NSW  | Multiple
Cross City Tunnel | Sydney to Rushcutters Bay | NSW  | Sydney
CityLink (Southern Link) | Southbank to Kooyong | Vic  | Multiple
CityLink (Western Link) | Strathmore to Port Melbourne | Vic  | Multiple
EastLink | Donvale to Seaford | Vic  | Multiple
Gateway Motorway becomes at Eight Mile Plains | Banyo to Drewvale | Qld  | Murarrie and Kuraby
Logan Motorway | Gailes to Loganholme | Qld  | Heathwood and Meadowbrook
Legacy Way | Toowong to Kelvin Grove | Qld  | Toowong
Clem Jones Tunnel | Woolloongabba to Bowen Hills | Qld  | Bowen Hills
Airport Link | Windsor to Clayfield | Qld  | Windsor and Clayfield
Go Between Bridge | West End to Milton | Qld  | West End
Toowoomba Bypass | Helidon Spa to Athol | Qld  | Harlaxton

## Former toll roads

[edit]

Toll Road  | Location  | State  | Toll Point  | Toll Removed  | Details

|
|
|
|
|

Western Motorway | Granville to Silverwater | NSW  | Silverwater  | 16 February 2010[6] | Reinstated 15 August 2017 as part of WestConnex[7]
Sunshine Motorway | Maroochydore to Pacific Paradise | Qld  | Pacific Paradise  | 8 March 1996 [8] |
Southern Freeway (F6) | Waterfall to Bulli Tops | NSW  | Waterfall  | 30 July 1995[9] |
Sydney–Newcastle Freeway (F3) | Berowra to Calga | NSW  | Berowra  | 1988  | [citation needed]
West Gate Bridge | Port Melbourne to Spotswood | Vic  | Port Melbourne  | 29 November 1985[10] |
Hornibrook Bridge | Brighton to Clontarf | Qld  | Clontarf  | 1979  | Bridge was Demolished. Replaced with (toll free) Houghton Highway 1979 and Ted Smout Memorial Bridge 2010 [citation needed]
Walter Taylor Bridge | Chelmer to Indooroopilly | Qld  | Indooroopilly  | 1965  | [11]
Story Bridge | Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point | Qld  | Kangaroo Point  | 1 March 1947[12][13] |
Springbrook Road | Neranwood to Springbrook | Qld  | Neranwood  | 30 November 1945 [citation needed] |
Great Ocean Road | Eastern View to Apollo Bay | Vic  | Eastern View  | 2 October 1936[14] |
Great Eastern Road | Adelaide to Mount Barker | SA  | Adelaide Hills  | 1847  | Removed due to public pressure.[15]

## Future toll roads

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* West Gate Tunnel in Melbourne, to connect the West Gate Freeway at Yarraville with the Port of Melbourne and CityLink at Docklands, under construction and anticipated to open in 2025.
* M6 Motorway in Sydney, to connect the M8 Motorway at Arncliffe with President Avenue, Kogarah, anticipated to open in late 2028.
* Western Harbour Tunnel in Sydney, to connect the M4-M5 Link, Victoria Road and the Anzac Bridge at Rozelle, with the Warringah Freeway at Cammeray, under planning and anticipated to open in 2028.
* North East Link in Melbourne, to connect the M80 Ring Road at Greensborough with the M3 Eastern Freeway at Bulleen, under planning and anticipated to open in 2027.

## Toll concessions and prices

[edit]

### New South Wales

[edit]

#### Distance-based tolling

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Toll prices as of 1 January 2024[update][16] Toll road | Class A toll prices[a] | Class B toll prices[a] | Toll increase[18] | Toll concessionaire | Expiry of toll concession[19]

|
|
|
|
|

Flagfall | Charge per km | Toll cap
Westlink M7 | –  | $0.4853  | $9.71  | 3 x of Class A prices  | Quarterly on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October, by quarterly CPI  | NorthWestern Roads (NWR) Group  | June 2051
WestConnex
(M4, M5 East, M8) | $1.67  | $0.6164  | $11.78  | 3 x of Class A prices  | Annually on 1 January, by the greater of CPI or 4% until December 2040, then by positive CPI only  | Sydney Transport Partners
(9% Tawreed Investments 10.5% CPPIB, 10% Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), 20.5% Australian Super, 50% Transurban) | 2060

1. ^ a b Class A vehicles are typically cars and motorcycles; Class B vehicles are all other vehicles including trucks and heavy vehicles[17]

#### Fixed or time of day tolling

[edit]

Toll prices as of 1 January 2024[update][20] Toll road | Class A toll prices[a] | Class B toll prices[a] | Toll increase[22] | Toll concessionaire | Expiry of toll concession[23]

|
|
|
|
|

NorthConnex | $9.56  | $28.68  | Quarterly on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October, by the greater of quarterly CPI or 1%  | NorthWestern Roads (NWR) Group  | June 2048
M2 Hills Motorway | $2.83 (min.)
$9.56 (max.)  | $8.48 (min.)
$28.68 (max.)  | Quarterly on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October, by the greater of quarterly CPI or 1%  | Transurban | June 2048
Lane Cove Tunnel | $3.97  | $13.43  | Quarterly on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October, by the greater of quarterly CPI or 1%  | Transurban | June 2048
Military Road E-Ramp (to / from Warringah Freeway) | $1.99  | $6.72  | Quarterly on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October, by the greater of quarterly CPI or 1%  | Transurban | June 2048
Cross City Tunnel | $3.23 (Sir John Young Crescent exit)
$6.85 (otherwise)  | $6.46 (Sir John Young Crescent exit)
$13.69 (otherwise)  | Quarterly on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October, by the greater of quarterly CPI or 1%  | Transurban | December 2035
Eastern Distributor (northbound) | $9.38  | $18.76  | Quarterly on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October, by the greater of the weighted sum of quarterly AWE and quarterly CPI or 1%  | Airport Motorway Limited
(75.1% Transurban) | July 2048
M5 South-West Motorway | $5.62  | $16.85  | Quarterly on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October, by the greater of quarterly CPI or 1%  | Interlink Roads
(100% Transurban) | 10 December 2026[24][b]
Sydney Harbour Bridge (southbound) | $4.27 (max., varies by time of day)  | Same as Class A prices  | No regular toll increase  | Transport for NSW[c] | –
Sydney Harbour Tunnel (southbound) | $4.27 (max., varies by time of day)  | Same as Class A prices  | No regular toll increase  | Transport for NSW[d] | –

1. ^ a b Class A vehicles are typically cars and motorcycles; Class B vehicles are all other vehicles including trucks and heavy vehicles.[21]
2. ^ After 10 December 2026, WestConnex distance-based tolls apply to the M5 South-West.
3. ^ The Sydney Harbour Bridge is owned by the government and has no toll concessions.
4. ^ The Sydney Harbour Tunnel is owned by the government and has no toll concessions.

### Queensland

[edit]

Toll prices as of 1 January 2024[update][25] Toll road | Class 1 (Motorcycles) | Class 2 (Cars) | Class 3 (Light Commercial Vehicles) | Class 4 (Heavy Commercial Vehicles) | Toll increase | Toll concessionaire[26] | Expiry of toll concession[27][28]

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Gateway Motorway | Murarrie toll point
(Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges) | $2.73  | $5.45  | $8.18  | $18.41  | Annually on 1 July, by CPI  | Transurban Queensland[a]
(62.5% owned by Transurban) | 31 December 2051[29]
Kuraby and Compton Road toll points  | $1.61  | $3.21  | $4.83  | $10.86  | Annually on 1 July, by CPI
Logan Motorway | Loganlea toll point  | $1.03  | $2.06  | $3.10  | $6.96  | Annually on 1 July, by CPI  | Transurban Queensland[a]
(62.5% owned by Transurban) | 31 December 2051[30]
Heathwood and Paradise Road toll points  | $1.70  | $3.40  | $5.09  | $11.49  | Annually on 1 July, by CPI
Go Between Bridge | $1.91  | $3.82  | $5.72  | $11.45[b] | Annually on 1 July, by CPI  | Transurban Queensland[c]
(62.5% owned by Transurban) | December 2063
CLEM7 | $3.06  | $6.12  | $9.18  | $18.36[d] | Annually on 1 July, by CPI  | Transurban Queensland[c]
(62.5% owned by Transurban) | August 2051
Legacy Way | $3.30  | $6.60  | $9.90  | $19.79[e] | Annually on 1 July, by CPI  | Transurban Queensland[c]
(62.5% owned by Transurban) | June 2065
AirportlinkM7 | Bowen Hills to Kedron or Toombul  | $3.36  | $6.72  | $10.08  | $17.79  | Annually on 1 January, by CPI  | Transurban Queensland[a]
(62.5% owned by Transurban) | July 2053
Kedron to Toombul  | $2.52  | $5.03  | $7.55  | $13.35  | Annually on 1 January, by CPI
Toowoomba Bypass | $1.36  | $2.71  | $6.72  | $26.96  | Annually on 1 July, by CPI  | Department of Transport and Main Roads[f] | –

1. ^ a b c Under a long-term concession agreement with the state
2. ^ Class 4 price shown is the peak hour price (5am–8pm daily). Class 4 off-peak price is $10.12.
3. ^ a b c Under a long-term concession agreement with the Brisbane City Council
4. ^ Class 4 price shown is the peak hour price (5am–8pm daily). Class 4 off-peak price is $16.21.
5. ^ Class 4 price shown is the peak hour price (5am–8pm daily). Class 4 off-peak price is $17.48.
6. ^ The Toowoomba Bypass is owned by the government, with tolling services provided by Transurban Queensland[27]

### Victoria

[edit]

Toll prices as of 1 July 2024[update] Toll road | Toll section or toll points | Maximum toll price per trip | Toll increase | Toll concessionaire | Expiry of toll concession

|
|
|
|
|

Cars | Motorcycles | Light Commercial Vehicles | Heavy Commercial Vehicles
CityLink[31] | Between Moreland Road and Brunswick Road  | $3.10  | $1.55  | $4.96  | $9.30[a] | Quarterly on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October  | Transurban | 13 January 2045[32][33]
Between Racecourse Road and Dynon Road  | $3.10  | $1.55  | $4.96  | $9.30[a]
Between Footscray Road and West Gate Freeway
(Bolte Bridge) | $3.88  | $1.94  | $6.20  | $11.63[a]
Batman Avenue north of Olympic Boulevard
(Exhibition Street Extension) | $1.94  | $0.97  | $3.10  | $5.82[a]
Batman Avenue entry south of Olympic Boulevard
(eastbound only) | $1.94  | $0.97  | $3.10  | $5.82[a]
Batman Avenue exit south of Olympic Boulevard
(westbound only) | $5.04  | $2.52  | $8.06  | $15.12[a]
Domain Tunnel
(westbound only) | $6.98  | $3.49  | $11.16  | $20.94[a]
Punt Road exit
(westbound only) | $3.10  | $1.55  | $4.96  | $9.30[a]
Burnley Tunnel
(eastbound only) | $6.98  | $3.49  | $11.16  | $20.94[a]
Between Church Street and Burnley Street
(eastbound only) | $3.10  | $1.55  | $4.96  | $9.30[a]
Between Yarra Boulevard and Toorak Road / Monash Freeway | $3.10  | $1.55  | $4.96  | $9.30[a]
Trip cap | $11.63 | $5.82 | $18.61 | $34.90[a]
EastLink[34] | Tunnel section  | $3.49[b] | $1.74  | $5.58  | $9.23  | Annually on 1 July  | ConnectEast | 2043[35]
Each of the four toll points between Maroondah Highway and High Street Road  | $0.51[b] | $0.25  | $0.81  | $1.34
Each of the six toll points between High Street Road and Greens Road  | $0.76[b] | $0.37  | $1.21  | $2.01
Each of the two toll points between Greens Road and Mornington Peninsula Freeway  | $1.77[b] | $0.88  | $2.83  | $4.69
Trip cap | $7.58[b] | $3.80 | $12.13 | $20.10
From West Gate Tunnel opening (expected 2025)
West Gate Freeway[36] | Between Millers Road and Williamstown Road | No toll | Rigid and articulated trucks and buses: $18.78[c]
High Productivity Freight Vehicles: $28.17[d] |  | Transurban | 13 January 2045[33]
Hyde Street ramps | $3.88 | $1.96 | $6.21 | Covered by West Gate Freeway toll charges
West Gate Tunnel[36] | Within tunnel | $3.88 | $1.96 | $6.21
City (Footscray Road, Dynon Road & Wurundjeri Way)[e] | $6.21 | $3.14 | $9.94

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Prices shown for heavy commercial vehicles are daytime prices. Nighttime prices are two-thirds of daytime prices (night trip cap is $23.26).
2. ^ a b c d e Prices shown for cars are weekday prices. Weekend and public holiday prices are 80% of weekday prices (weekend and public holiday trip cap is $6.06.
3. ^ Price shown for rigid and articulated trucks and buses is the daytime price. Nighttime price is $12.52.
4. ^ Price shown for High Productivity Freight Vehicles is the daytime price. Nighttime price is $18.78.
5. ^ Toll is only charged in the AM peak (7am–9am weekday).

## See also

[edit]

* Australian roads portal

* Freeways in Australia
* Road transport in Australia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Tony Moore (19 March 2015). "Brisbane's toll tunnels fail to cut rising travel times: RACQ". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
2. ^ Transurban, security holder review
3. ^ Linton Besser (27 September 2008). "The bleeping price we paid to drive". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
4. ^ Sydney Morning Herald: Bridge toll props up harbour tunnelBridge toll props up harbour tunnel (13 December 2007)
5. ^ Qld Motorways - 2007 Annual Report
6. ^ Sydney's M4 Toll to be abolished Sydney Morning Herald 14 February 2010
7. ^ New M4 tolls effective this Tuesday NRMA 14 August 2017
8. ^ Whittington, Dorothy (26 May 2022). "'Our Eureka Stockade': when Tollbusters drove a road rebellion". Sunshine Coast News. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
9. ^ F6 Southern Expressway was paid off over 20 years St George & Sutherland Shire Leader 23 August 2019
10. ^ "Road Construction Authority Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1986". Road Construction Authority. Melbourne. 24 November 1986. p. 30.
11. ^ "Will you ever be able to live inside Brisbane's Indooroopilly bridge?". ABC News. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
12. ^ Archives, Queensland State (28 April 2021). "The Making of the Story Bridge". Stories from the Archives. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
13. ^ "TOLL REMOVED FROM THE STORY BRIDGE". Construction. 2 June 1948. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
14. ^ "Tourist Information Lorne | Great Ocean Road History Centre". Lorne Historical Society. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
15. ^ "Old Toll House | SA History Hub". sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
16. ^ "Toll costs by road". NSW Government. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
17. ^ "What is my vehicle class?". Linkt. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
18. ^ "When and how do toll prices increase". Linkt. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
19. ^ "Road tolling in New South Wales" (PDF). New South Wales Parliament. Portfolio Committee No.2 – Health and Community Services. October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
20. ^ "Toll costs by road". NSW Government. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
21. ^ "What is my vehicle class?". Linkt. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
22. ^ "When and how do toll prices increase". Linkt. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
23. ^ "Road tolling in New South Wales" (PDF). New South Wales Parliament. Portfolio Committee No.2 – Health and Community Services. October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
24. ^ "M5 South West motorway: Summary of contracts - Including motorway widening contracts, as at 25 June 2012" (PDF). NSW Treasury. Roads and Maritime Services. 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
25. ^ "Toll pricing". Linkt. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
26. ^ "Toll roads". Department of Transport and Main Roads. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
27. ^ a b "Brisbane". Transurban. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
28. ^ "Transurban Queensland Euro Medium Term Note Programme Update" (PDF). 31 October 2016. p. 9. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
29. ^ "Road Franchise Agreement - The State of Queensland (The State), Queensland Motorways Pty Limited ACN 067 242 513, Gateway Motorway Pty Limited ACN 010 127 303 and Logan Motorways Pty Limited ACN 010 704 300 (Franchisees)" (PDF). Department of Transport and Main Roads. p. 52. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
30. ^ "Road Franchise Agreement - The State of Queensland (The State), Queensland Motorways Pty Limited ACN 067 242 513, Gateway Motorway Pty Limited ACN 010 127 303 and Logan Motorways Pty Limited ACN 010 704 300 (Franchisees)" (PDF). Department of Transport and Main Roads. p. 52. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
31. ^ "CityLink Pass and Toll Prices for 1 July – 30 September 2024" (PDF). Linkt. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
32. ^ "Transurban - Melbourne". Transurban. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
33. ^ a b "Corporate Report" (PDF). Transurban. 2019. p. 95. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
34. ^ "EastLink Tolls valid 1 Jul 2024 until 30 Jun 2025" (PDF). EastLink. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
35. ^ "Advert - General Counsel & Company Secretary" (PDF). EastLink. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
36. ^ a b "Tolls and the West Gate Tunnel". Transurban. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.