Meccano Set traffic intersection reopens after major upgrade

South west Sydney’s much loved Meccano Set is open after getting its first facelift in 57 years, after residents voted overwhelming to retain its iconic structure.

Work on the Meccano Set intersection was done mainly at night to reduce the impact for motorists. Picture: Transport for NSW

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Sydney’s iconic Meccano Set traffic intersection, a huge landmark in south west Sydney, has been officially reopened, without any change to its traditional look.

This is the first renovation since it was built in 1962, and is used by nearly 90,000 vehicles each day.

Roads and Maritime Services completed the main work on Sunday, less than a month since work began on May 11 and it was funded under the NSW Government’s $1.5 billion maintenance program.

The new signs being fitted at the intersection, which was receiving its first upgrade since it opened in 1962. Picture: RMS

For many years, passing the Meccano set at the intersection of the Hume Hwy, Woodville Rd and Henry Lawson Dr, meant residents were leaving Sydney.

In the past, RMS considered replacing the structure with free standing traffic lights but decided against it after receiving “overwhelming” support in favour of the structure, which is certainly a pretty one.

Minister Andrew Constance: The square gantry has become a treasured piece of the city’s motoring history.

Roads Minister Andrew Constance said the work cemented the intersection’s unique place in the city’s road network.

“Since the traffic lights were first switched on 57 years ago, the square gantry has become a treasured piece of the city’s motoring history,” Mr Constance said.

“We asked the community if it should be replaced with free standing traffic lights, but the overwhelming response was people wanted it to stay.

The intersection before the renovations. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

“Work was finished to replace the 25-tonne Meccano Set with an identical structure that will improve safety and ensure it will remain a part of the landscape into the future.”

The restoration work took place mainly at night across several weekends to minimise the impact on the 88,000 vehicles travelling through the intersection each day.

Overhead show of the Meccano set. Picture: RMS

RMS Director of Sydney Maintenance David Fishburn said there was nothing attractive about the structure but said community voted overwhelming to keep it when they undertook the consultation last year.

“It is not pretty but it is a landmark which people love,” said Mr Fishburn, who grew up in the Bankstown area.

Overhead shot before the Meccano set was built in 1962.

“I remember in those days when we were kids and going south on holidays, once we get through the Meccano Set, we yell that we are leaving Sydney.

“On our return journey we see the meccano set and say we are back in Sydney and its back to school tomorrow.”

The Meccano Set is has total weight of about 25 tonnes with four beams. Each beam is 32m in length and five tonnes in weight, including the signs and lanterns.

There are four columns and each one is six metres in height and one to 1.5 tonnes in weight.

Work has been carried out to remove the original structure, piece by piece and replace it with new, stronger beams fabricated by Padstow-based Chess Engineering which has been working with RMS for more than 15 years.

Minor work including touching up the new beams and removing the site compound will be finalised by the end of the month.