In 1998 the RTA released a design, The Cross City Tunnel: Improving the Heart of the City. This proposed a tunnel under William, Park and Druitt Streets, from Sussex Street in the west to College Street and the Eastern Distributor under Palmer Street in the east. This is shown in Exhibit 1.1A. The tunnel was to connect major new roads (Western Distributor, Eastern Distributor and Anzac Bridge). The Government wanted to reduce City congestion, travel time and the competition between east-west and north-south traffic.
The CCT was also to improve the public domain. It would reduce surface traffic and reallocate road space to public transport, pedestrians and cyclists. The RTA proposed removing one lane in William Street and closing, or restricting vehicles in, Park Street.
The RTA estimated that the project would cost $273 million, to be paid for by tunnel users, and that it would open in 2004.