Parramatta, Church St: Only one lane open from July 4 for light rail works
The construction headache that is Parramatta Light Rail is expected to deepen when more roads will be closed as part of the $2.4 billion project from next week.
Parramatta
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The construction headache that is Parramatta Light Rail is expected to deepen when more roads will be closed as part of the $2.4 billion project from July 4.
From 11am next Saturday to 2021, 1km of Church St at North Parramatta will be closed to northbound traffic between Victoria Rd and Factory St when the road is realigned and rail tracks are installed.
Drivers are encouraged to use O’Connell St to travel in both directions.
The changes will also mean some buses will be diverted from Church to O’Connell St and 10 bus stops will be closed with alternative stops at Victoria Rd, and O’Connell and Iron streets from 5am on July 4.
Bus diversions affect the following routes: 550 Macquarie Park to Parramatta, 600 Hornsby to Parramatta, 601 Rouse Hill station to Parramatta, 603 Rouse Hill station to Parramatta, 604 Dural to Parramatta, 606 Winston Hills to Parramatta, 609 Parramatta to North Parramatta loop service, 625 Pennant Hills to Parramatta and 706 Blacktown to Parramatta via Winston Hills.
But once throngs return to Bankwest Stadium on O’Connell St, which is usually closed briefly after events to allow crowds to disperse, more disruption could follow.
Transport for NSW says the closure of roads immediately surrounding Bankwest Stadium during the bump out of event crowds will be at police’s direction.
A temporary O’Connell St closure would mean buses will be diverted and bus commuters will need to catch the bus further north of the stadium on O’Connell St.
Transport for NSW chief operations officer Howard Collins said the main change would be Church St being reduced to one lane at North Parramatta.
“This will reduce lane capacity on Church St, so we’re encouraging all motorists to use O’Connell St instead when driving both northbound and southbound,’’ he said.
“Our message to the community is to allow some extra travel time as the changes bed-in, and plan ahead.’’
The new 12-kilometre light rail project will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is set to open in 2023.
livetraffic.com, transportnsw.info
BUSINESS BACKLASH
It used to be a dining strip but restaurateurs such as 317 Restaurant owner Pierre Sande now liken the Church St construction zone to a jail.
The Church St northbound lane closure is expected to compound the business woes and deter customers from a nosh at their favourite eatery.
Mr Sande has called for Parramatta Council and Transport for NSW to roll out simple solutions such as more signage at the Eat St and Riverbank carparks directing drivers to the restaurants and reminding patrons they’re still open to avoid confusion.
“People are like ‘are you still open?’,’’ Mr Pierre said.
“People are calling asking how to get to Church St from the Eat St carpark.’’
The council and Transport for NSW representatives told him it was investigating the signage and pedestrian crossing but he said “these things all should have been done”.
The hoarding has blocked would-be diners’ views of the restaurants, where alfresco dining has been consigned to the history books.
“It’s been 1 ½ weeks and it looks like a jail,’’ Mr Sande said.
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said “open for business’’ signage to direct customers to businesses would be installed in the coming days.
“Transport for NSW will always consider requests for additional wayfinding and will work with the City of Parramatta Council on carpark signage,’’ the spokeswoman said.
“The project will continue to monitor and assess the need for a pedestrian crossing in light of reduced pedestrian numbers due to COVID-19.’’
The department has also developed the apps Activate Parramatta and Dine. Scan. Win to support businesses.
From November 20 to the end of January 2021, construction will cease on Church St where the hoardings will be removed and Transport for NSW will work with businesses to deliver activities and events to attract people to Parramatta CBD.