The government will acquire 37 properties –22 of which are homes – for the Western Harbour Tunnel and the Beaches Link, compared with 71 under earlier plans. About half of Cammeray Golf Club will also be used for construction. As foreshadowed by the Herald, the government confirmed on Thursday that it will start major construction of the tunnels in 2020, and open them to traffic by 2026. While short on detail on how the government will fund the project, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said motorists would be charged tolls but insisted it was too early to say how high they would be or whether charges would be imposed on other major roads. Roads Minister Melinda Pavey, left, and Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirm plans to start major construction in 2020. Credit:Joel Carrett

“I've been upfront that there will be tolls but the combination and how much those tolls are, are subject to us doing further work,” she said. The Herald has previously revealed that the government has been considering charging motorists in both directions on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Harbour Tunnel to help cover the cost of the new road tunnels. Leaked documents have also shown that motorists will be slugged about $8 (in today's dollars) for a one-way journey by car on the entire length of the new tunnels. Balgowlah Golf Club will be turned into a construction site for the toll road project. Credit:James Brickwood Mr Berejiklian confirmed the government was still considering the option of tolls on northbound trips on the Harbour Bridge.

“I would be dishonest if I said we weren't looking at it. We are looking at those options,” she said. Asked why drivers who used other roads should be slugged tolls to help fund the Beaches Link, Ms Berejiklian said: “The reality is if we want to build this many projects and relieve congestion, unfortunately tolls are part of building a new network.” Almost $560 million set aside in the state budget this year will be used to fund early works before decisions about the final shape of the road project are made. An environmental impact statement for the project will not be released until next year.