Date

Stage

1990s

Sydney City Council prepared early draft proposals for a cross city tunnel.

Oct 1998

The State Government proposed a tunnel to run from William Street (outside the Museum) under Park and Druitt Streets to Sussex Street.

Nov 1998

The State Government released the Action for Transport 2010 plan which included a road tunnel crossing the CBD east-west.

Jul 1999

The Director-General of the Department of Planning (DoP), as the assessment authority for the Environmental Impact Assessment process, issued the requirements for the preparation of the initial Environmental Impact Statement for the Cross City Tunnel project.

Sep 1999

The State Government announced a modified proposal, a longer tunnel under William Street from Kings Cross to Sussex Street. The announced tolls were $2.50 each way cross city and $1.10 for vehicles exiting at Sir John Young Crescent (1999 prices inclusive of GST).

Aug 2000

The EIS was released for public comment, and 196 representations were received, including submissions by the Environment Protection Authority and the Department of Health about issues such as air quality and tunnel ventilation.

Sep 2000

The RTA invited the private sector to register interest in financing, constructing and operating the CCT.

Feb 2001

The RTA selected three from the eight consortia that registered an interest to submit detailed proposals for the CCT project.

May 2001

A Representations Report was submitted to the then DoP for approval.

Oct 2001

The Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning issued the Conditions of Approval for the CCT project.

Feb 2002

CrossCity Motorway Consortium (CCM) announced as the preferred tenderer. CCM's non-complying 'Long 80' bid was selected as the final project.

Mar 2002

The then Treasurer wrote to the then Minister for Roads stressing the need to deliver the project at 'no net cost to government', stating that the RTA should use its own capital budget to cover cost increases.

May 2002

The RTA developed a Supplementary EIS for CCM's 'Long 80'. The new Conditions of Approval added to the project scope and cost.

Jul 2002

The Supplementary EIS was released for public comment, reflecting CCM's 'Long 80' changes to the EIS design.

Dec 2002

The Project Deed (contract) was executed containing the change to the way the toll escalates to cover $75 million in extra costs.

Dec 2004

The First Amendment Deed was signed allowing CCM to increase the base toll by 15 cents in return for funding $35m worth of additional project costs.

Jun 2005

The NSW Auditor-General announced a Performance Audit of the CCT project.

Aug 2005

The tunnel opened.

Oct 2005

CCM announced a toll-free period. The extra fee for not using an e-tag was dropped.

NSW Roads Minister announced the resignation of the CEO of the RTA.

The Premier commissioned the Infrastructure Implementation Group led by David Richmond to advise on the delivery of government infrastructure projects. The report made specific comments on the CCT.

Dec 2005

A Parliamentary Inquiry into the CCT project chaired by Reverend the Hon Fred Nile MLC started.

Feb 2006

The Nile Inquiry released the part of its report dealing with the CCT.

Mar 2006

CCM announces that tolls will be halved for an indefinite period.

Some bus lane road changes reversed.