Including thewidened M4 between Homebush and Parramatta,trips along the entire tolled section of the motorway averaged almost 170,000 on weekdays,which is higher than Transurban's expectations.
"Early traffic volumes have been promising,"Transurban chief executive Scott Charlton said."It is just slightly above out forecasts ...[and] that is a good sign."
Travel-time savings for motorists driving the entire length of the tolled M4 averaged 17 minutes in the morning peak and 45 minutes in the evening,the company said.
The opening of the M4 East tunnels was several months later than planned,resulting in the builder paying about $2 million in liquidated damages to Australia's largest toll road operator.
Transurban will tighten its grip on Sydney's toll road network after announcing on Wednesday that it will buy the remaining 35 per cent stake in the M5 South-West from Prestons to Beverly Hills it does not already own for $468 million.
The 22-kilometre toll road will be folded into WestConnex at the end of 2026,meaning the tolling regime will be extended on that section of motorway until 2060.