Peak-hour traffic lights to be installed in Norwest Business Park for five years

PLANS are in motion to ease traffic woes in Norwest Business Park.

A typical morning traffic jam on Norwest Blvd in Norwest Business Park off Old Windsor Rd. Pictures: Jeff Herbert

PLANS are in motion to ease traffic woes in Norwest Business Park.

With traffic often banked up to Glenwood along Norwest Boulevard during peak hours, a $500,000 short-term fix is on its way.

The Hills Shire Council has resolved to upgrade the roundabout connecting Norwest Boulevard and Elizabeth Macarthur and Lexington drives.

The upgrade would involve installing vehicle-activated traffic lights to operate in morning peak times to reduce traffic entering and exiting the business park for the next five years.

It will be subject to community consultation and design work.

Councillor Michelle Byrne said it would be a welcome reprieve.

“This is a Band-Aid solution, but it will assist residents,” she said.

“We know the business park is only two-thirds full and until we can remove some congestion on the road, it’s not going to attract businesses.

“That area has a growing population and we want to provide jobs for them in the community. This will relieve some of the pressure.”

Traffic is often backed up to Glenwood in the mornings.

Hills Mayor Yvonne Keane believed it would benefit residents, workers and people passing through the busy business park.

“Traffic congestion at the intersection of Lexington Drive and Norwest Boulevard is the single biggest inhibitor to further expansion of employment opportunities for the world-class Norwest Business Park,” Cr Keane said.

“The proposed vehicle-activated traffic lights will significantly relieve traffic congestion in the peak am times, especially between 8am and 9am.

“In fact, the installation of these much-needed traffic signals will reduce eastbound travel time by at least 50 per cent and increase the number of vehicles using this important stretch of road from 890 to 1145 per hour.”

The interim solution will be in effect while the council and Roads and Maritime Services continue to draw up plans for a permanent solution.

This could include completely replacing the roundabout with traffic lights as well as adding more right-hand turning lanes, and could cost at least $57 million.

An RMS spokeswoman said the plans would be put up for public feedback before any construction took place.

“RMS is working with The Hills Shire Council on two options to improve traffic flow through the intersection of Lexington Drive and Norwest Boulevard,” she said.

“The traffic lights would be activated when motorists queue and allow more even time on all approaches to clear traffic more quickly.

“RMS is planning to ultimately replace the existing roundabout with traffic lights, with community feedback expected to be sought in the new year.”