Sydney’s Westconnex could open early next year

The M4 East tunnel could be open to drivers as early as March next year, just ahead of the NSW Election. 

9NEWS has learned workers have made significant progress on the 5.5 kilometre tunnel - which stretches from the existing M4 at Concord to the City West Link at Haberfield - but the government is weighing up whether to wait until after election day. 

Sources say the risk for government is backlash from teething problems, which could entail traffic snarls in the back streets of Strathfield, Haberfield, Ashfield and Five Dock.

It's also very likely the tunnel will open with a toll-free period. 

While a March opening date looks possible, Westconnex construction managers are still finalising an exact date.

"What's really important to me is there is light at the end of the tunnel, residents will spend less time sitting in traffic," Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. 

The local member is pushing his government colleagues to help pay for small cleaning tasks at homes affected by the nearby construction, as an act of goodwill. 

"Some small recognition in the form of cleaning, dust proofing, washing of cars, roofs, driveways, things like that just to say thank you for your patience," Drummoyne MP John Sidoti said.