Last Wednesday, Thiess John Holland spokeswoman Megan Cusack ruled out suggestions that software problems had delayed the opening of the toll road, scheduled for the long weekend.

She said testing of the motorway's mechanical, electrical and computer systems still needed to be done, and there had been no software problems.

Ms Cusack would say only that EastLink was on track to open "mid-year".

In a community update from ConnectEast this month, community relations general manager James Tonkin stated a specific opening date could not be identified because of the "complex nature of the remaining tasks as well as the extensive testing and independent verification regime".

However, Opposition roads spokesman Terry Mulder believes the "secrecy" is to avoid community anger about the broken no-tolls promise.

"Everyone is keen to see the project up and running, but we've been kept absolutely in the dark. We should be given a significant amount of notice as to when it will open.

"It shouldn't be a secret to the community because it's the community that's paying for it."

Mr Mulder said the State Government would "media-manage" the opening so it takes place when there is "a lot of other news about".

"Politics are being played out here. I think the Government wants to avoid broken-promise anger. With interest rates going through the roof, fuel prices skyrocketing and increases in the cost of living, when that toll bill arrives in the letterbox it's going to hit home."