Western Harbour Tunnel: Huge increase in traffic and road closures
Fresh studies have revealed the construction of the Western Harbour Tunnel will results in a massive increase in traffic, clogging local roads. The newly released Environment Impact Statement lists the expected troubled spots.
North Shore
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Congestion on major thoroughfares across Sydney’s lower north shore is set to surge under plans to temporarily close the Warringah Fwy for construction of the Western Harbour Tunnel.
Traffic increases of up to 500 per cent have been flagged on roads including the Pacific Hwy, Miller St and Falcon St due to off-peak closures of the motorway from next year.
The Environment Impact Statement for the State Government has also revealed new details about proposed trucking routes, traffic delays, bus stop closures and the removal of parking spaces in the North Sydney CBD.
Roads and Maritime Services said the full closure of Warringah Fwy in off-peak periods would involve in diverting motorists on surrounding roads with high volumes predicted in areas of North Sydney and Neutral Bay.
The greatest impacts would be felt on the Pacific Hwy with traffic modelling showing off-peak vehicle counts would surge from the current 1020 vehicles to 2950 in closure periods. Diversions through North Sydney would also result in five times the amount of traffic on Miller St (from 250 to 1240 in closure periods) and Falcon St (from 650 to 1490)
The EIS has also revealed new details about proposed trucking routes following 2521 comments from residents during early consultation.
At St Leonards Park, up to 70 cars and 20 heavy trucks would access the construction site via Ridge, Miller and Falcon Sts to access the Warringah Fwy. The route would involve the removal of 12 parking spaces on the eastern side of Ridge St.
The Berrys Bay construction site would meanwhile generate 265 vehicles per day including 55 trucks via Bay Rd and Balls Head Rd, while 145 trucks would be shifted through Artarmon between the motorway control centre on Waltham St and the Warringah Fwy.
Works at the Cammeray Golf Course site would generate up to 965 vehicles per day via routes including new turning lanes from the Warringah Fwy.
Public transport changes have also been flagged with adjustment to bus stops on Miller and Falcon Sts, serving up to 20 bus routes, along with High St and the Pacific Hwy.
Plans stated the “disruption to bus customers would be minimised by relocating the bus stops to the closest practical alternative” location.
A total of 73 parking spaces would be removed in North Sydney for works on the Mount St interchange, Ridge St pedestrian bridge and the widening of Alfred St North. Traffic modelling predicted delays during construction periods would be greatest at intersections including Miller and Falcon Sts, Falcon and Merlin Sts and Mount and Arthur Sts.
Roads and Maritime Service said the Western Harbour Tunnel would result in improved travel times across Sydney Harbour once completed.
The department said travel times would be reduced “by up to 75 per cent” from North Sydney to Rozelle by bypassing the Anzac Bridge, Western Distributor and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“The project combined with the Beaches Link Tunnel would deliver substantial benefits to traffic … with trips between strategic centres saving up to 22 minutes when travelling across Sydney Harbour from the Northern Beaches during peak periods,” the plans stated.
If approved, construction is due to commence in late 2020 and is expected to take six years to complete.