When will M2 reopen...

[danchez]

Watch out for glass when heading east, about 100m from the Delhi Rd exit, there's heaps of it!

[jubaeg]

I suspect it won't be till after Australia day that its all done. The surface is ridable at the moment by the way, and its such a blast compared with the detour.

[tez001]

However not officially opened?

I did the M2 westbound yesterday and it was a pleasant ride in the morning apart from dodging random bits on the shoulder. Turned back and got off at the Pennant Hills detour and got lost

[jubaeg]

That's correct not officially opened. Perhaps that was why it felt like a quick ride as there was the added spice of potentially a highway patrol car lurking around a corner. There aren't any actual barriers erected, but possibly there are still signs - but then the sun was in my eyes.

[warren.suen]

i can't wait for this to be officially opened! i suspect for myself it will be a while since i get on at the vimera road entrance and they have padlocked that gate for years now

[rogan]

Partly resurfaced as of this morning. I'd say they've done about one third. When they finish they will still need to lane mark. Oh, and take down the pesky "no bikes" signs.

[caneye]

take care riding west. i've seen 3 punctures in the past week alone, all west-bound just after the Beecroft tunnel.

[Xplora]

Another third has been done. Watch this space!

[Boognoss]

They are moving it along. How knows how long lane marking and "no bikes" signs removal will take.....

[Boognoss]

Rode it today, was great. Even the parts with no asphalt were cleaner than the shoulder everywhere else. Back to my regular pre-2011 commute route eastbound from here on in.

[jubaeg]

I rode it this morning, and had a slight increase in heart rate as the highway patrol car was along the newly sealed section but nothing happened. Agree Boognoss, the surface is great and its so lovely to ride on 'virgin' road surface. I suspect that they'll put another layer on top once they've filled in the gaps.

[Boognoss]

I rode it this morning, and had a slight increase in heart rate as the highway patrol car was along the newly sealed section but nothing happened. Agree Boognoss, the surface is great and its so lovely to ride on 'virgin' road surface. I suspect that they'll put another layer on top once they've filled in the gaps.

I rode past him too. They only care about their little computer screen that picks up the rego plates of unregistered cars and speeders if that's possible on the M2 at any time during daylight hours. Yep, definitely a little more work to do but doesn't matter to us .

[Xplora]

Yeah it is looking pretty solid. I am guessing am improvement over the long weekend to get overtime?

[Boognoss]

Yeah it is looking pretty solid. I am guessing am improvement over the long weekend to get overtime?

That's a bit cynical. I agree 100% .

[rogan]

Although, Northconnex may be very close to starting; construction approval was given by the Minister for Planning on 15 January. The surveyors were out yesterday, west side of Pennant Hills Rd, north of the M2, along the section of properties that will need to be acquired. There will be several months of startup activities - but once construction starts on the M2 itself (May 2015, the website says), I think we know what's going to happen...

http://northconnex.com.au/news.php

[SheikYerbouti]

but once construction starts on the M2 itself (May 2015, the website says), I think we know what's going to happen...

Yeah true, get your M2 rides in this year as the cycle lane will probably vanish for another 3 yrs when this work is being done.

[Xplora]

I wonder how much the tail wags the dog in these situations. Not many bikes but how could they given that they don't have a clean and accessible path that does not get them to the destination fast enough?

[queequeg]

but once construction starts on the M2 itself (May 2015, the website says), I think we know what's going to happen...

Yeah true, get your M2 rides in this year as the cycle lane will probably vanish for another 3 yrs when this work is being done.

Even if they by some miracle keep the M2 open for cyclists this time, I am stuffed for my commute home as I use he Western side of Pennant Hills Rd to access Castle Hill Rd. The control centre for NorthConnex is supposed to be on that corner, and will be the main construction compound. That means no access for pedestrians or cyclists during construction. The first four or five properties on that side have been unoccupied for some time I think. Letterboxes are all filled with expanding foam!

[rogan]

Same queequeg, there's a bunch of us that use that western shared path up to Copeland/Eaton. It is a shared path by the way, there's a bike sign at the corner of M2 and PH Rd. The eastern side, along the golf course up to Copeland, is much less good, but can be done if desperate. It's better than going Murray Farm Rd/Oakes Rd, if you live north of the M2.

If it's very quiet, one could use the Oakes Rd bus station, although that is of course illegal and not recommended. And no way will it work at peak hour.

The one bright spot in all of this is access east of Beecroft Rd (possibly even east of PH Rd) should be unrestricted in both directions, even after Northconnex starts.

[Boognoss]

The one bright spot in all of this is access east of Beecroft Rd (possibly even east of PH Rd) should be unrestricted in both directions, even after Northconnex starts.

I really hope that this is the case. I really do. I totally wouldn't be surprised if we are completely ignored again/still with future planning.

[skydance]

How knows how long lane marking and "no bikes" signs removal will take.....

Signs? I saw lots of random plastic bags flying all around these signs... most of these bags being thick and very, very dark coloured. couple of them might end up sticking to the pole, and a few more may eventually cover up the sign.

[rogan]

Overhead signs on the M2 this morning: "Cyclists returning soon".

[Boognoss]

Overhead signs on the M2 this morning: "Cyclists returning soon".

Really soon, like yesterday and today for me

[queequeg]

Overhead signs on the M2 this morning: "Cyclists returning soon".

Fantastic! Let me know when it's official, as I am still on holidays. I wouldn't mind doing a trial run to time the new commute for comparison. I am debating whether to come down PHR to the M2 (from Castle Hill Rd), or continue to use Beecroft Rd and join the M2 at Beecroft.

[trek52]

It is about 10 min quicker from beecroft rd to st Leonard's. I have been riding down to beecroft rd for 2 years and up the on ramp so I reckon 15 min quicker if you have been obeying the law and getting off at pennant hills Rd.