Sydney Park Junction major facelift: More public space, cycleways and al fresco dining

Sydney Park is set for a major facelift with plans for green public space, cycleways and new al fresco dining outlets all set to be introduced. Check out the before and after pictures below.

An inner west hub could be set for a major facelift with grand plans to beautify St Peters’ Sydney Park Junction through an alfresco dining boost and cycleway upgrades.

Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Minister Rob Stokes recently announced plans to transform the junction area into a vibrant domain through the conversion of 5000 sqm

of road into public space.

“This plan integrates one of Sydney’s finest green spaces and breathes new life into the previously congested and under-utilised areas which surround it,” he said.

Under the plans there’ll be more recreation and entertainment options, better walking and cycling links, and an increase in green space.

The proposed project would also include new crossings, a reduced 40km/h speed limit on Sydney Park Rd, a new right-hand turn on Mitchell Rd, and wider footpaths.

The redevelopment is being made possible by shrinking six lanes down to four, owing to WestConnex taking more cars away from the junction and below the ground.

“By moving traffic underground we can return surface roads back to the community,” Mr Stokes said.

“Local residents will experience less congestion and noise, with traffic volumes expected to reduce with less lanes, reduced speed limits and diversion of heavy vehicles to Campbell Rd (east of Princes Highway) and Euston Rd.”

The redevelopment will also see the Sydney Park Road Cycleway, one of several installed in response to Covid, upgraded to a permanent two-way separated cycleway to link to the broader Sydney cycling network.

The Committee for Sydney – an urban policy think tank – welcomed the plans.

“This is a major facelift for the gateway to one of Sydney’s great parks,” Matt Levinson, spokesman for the committee, said

“It’s great to see the NSW Government putting in the hard work to make it easier for people to walk and ride to St Peters station and Sydney Park.

“The plans will have a transformative effect on the increasingly high density residential area around St Peters, providing a much better environment for walking, bike riding, eating outside and other forms of activity and entertainment.”

The Inner West Courier compared the before and after shots of Sydney Park Junction, which illustrates the facelift the area will be receiving. Check out the comparison shots below.

Sydney Park Junction before and after

The proposals for Sydney Park Junction were submitted last month by Transport for NSW.

A total of 548 submissions regarding the proposals were received by Transport for NSW from the general community, including from individuals, businesses and community groups. Two submissions were received from the local councils, Inner West Council and City of Sydney Council.

Additional proposals also include updating the stormwater infrastructure, increasing disabled carparking, providing additional carparking spots, and upgrading CCTV, among others.

Construction is expected to commence in mid-to-late 2022 and is expected to take around 20 months to complete.