Source: Anon. 1968. "The Super Road That Opens Today". The Daily Telegraph, June 18: 3.
In June, the Warringah Expressway turned fifty without any fanfare. But there was some fanfare when it opened on June 18, 1968, by NSW Governor Sir Roden Cutler.
The first stage was from the Bradfield Highway at North Sydney through to Miller Street, Cammeray. It was extended to Willoughby Road in 1978.
It was envisioned that the Warringah Expressway would be extended through to Balgowlah and Frenchs Forest. However, the NSW Government is determined that this will be fulfilled through the proposed tunnel under Middle Harbour to the Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation at Balgowlah.
Younger people are used to a major road opening early on a Monday morning. How about a new road opening during the day on a Tuesday? Sydneysiders were able to drive home on the new road.
Source: Anon. 1968. "New Expressway Speeds City Traffic". The Daily Telegraph, June 19: 3.
For the opening brochures explaining the traffic flow arrangements were provided to motorists, along with newspaper advertisements (see below)
Source: Anon. 1968. "Warringah Expressway". The Daily Telegraph, June 18: 10.
I have included enlargements of the arrangements below:
There were some teething problems associated with traffic approaching the freeway as The Sun reported on June 19, 1968.
But overall they seemed happy.
And a photo spread from the June 19, 1968 edition of The Daily Mirror.
Page One of The Sydney Morning Herald on June 19, 1968, had another good photo taken during the evening peak from opening night.
