Lower north shore morning peak hour on Military Rd-Spit Rd-Manly Rd from Balgowlah to Cammeray is second slowest in NSW

CITY-bound vehicles average only 18.6km/h on the Military Rd-Spit Rd-Manly Rd corridor between Balgowlah and Cammeray on a weekday morning. Only Cleveland St is slower.

Traffic congestion on The Spit Bridge during the morning peak. Picture: Braden Fastier

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THE main commuter route between the northern beaches and lower north shore is like a carpark in the morning peak, recording the state’s second slowest average speed.

City-bound vehicles will only reach an average speed of 18.6km/h on the Military Rd-Spit Rd-Manly Rd corridor between Balgowlah and Cammeray on a weekday from 6.15am to 9am.

Only Cleveland St, between Darlington and Moore Park, had a slower morning commute with an average speed of 13.5km/h.

Peak traffic on Spit Rd, Mosman.

The lower north shore run improves marginally in the afternoon peak, when the 21km/h average speed is the 10th slowest in the state out of the 124 key routes measured.

Roads and Maritime Services published the data in its latest Roads Report, using information it collected between June 1 and August 31 through mechanisms including traffic light systems, traffic counters and GPS-based vehicles.

Mosman deputy mayor Roy Bendall used the new traffic data to renew his calls for a Northern Beaches Link tunnel.

Morning peak hour traffic on The Spit bridge looking south into Mosman.

“The data shows there is no alternative to solve these types of traffic problems until our politicians get behind the project to build a tunnel under The Spit Bridge,” he said.

“Further money for studies seems to indicate a lack of will and more spin over substance.

“The B-Line system is only a Band-Aid solution which in all likelihood will cause greater traffic congestion and slower travelling times along the corridor as more traffic is moved from three lanes into two.”

Peak hour traffic on Spit Rd, Mosman.

An RMS spokeswoman said the traffic data helped RMS to identify areas for improvement.

“Strategic and feasibility studies are being carried out for a future tunnel connection between the northern beaches and the Warringah Fwy,” she said.

“Easing congestion in the northern beaches is a key priority for the NSW Government.

“The B-Line program will provide a better bus network for the northern beaches region which is easier to understand, limits congestion and will deliver modern facilities.”

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IN OTHER NEWS — Sharp Cockatoo Cleverly Evades Cups

HARLEY the cockatoo is a very talented bird, and now she can add agility to her growing list of talents. Harley bravely and sharply dealt with each cup thrown her way during playtime at home. Credit: YouTube/Harley the Cockatoo.