RMS works to get Bankstown’s Stacey Street off most-congested roads list
Commuters on one of Australia’s slowest road will finally get some relief after long-awaited work starts to get it moving.
The Express
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Long-suffering motorists can breathe a sigh of relief now stage two of the Stacey St expansion starts.
Work will finally begin on the street with the notorious tag of being one of the most congested in Australia.
Roads and Maritime Services will start work next week on improvements to Stacey St and Fairford Rd at Bankstown, to ease congestion for north-bound motorists and upgrade key intersections.
According to Infrastructure Australia’s report released in August, the Sutherland to Ryde corridor, which includes Stacey St, is the seventh most congested road in the country.
The much-awaited work includes installing a third northbound lane between Macauley Ave and Stanley St.
Nearly 60,000 vehicles use this section daily, ranking it among Sydney’s busiest road corridors.
Blaxland federal Labor MP Jason Clare welcomed the upgrades but wants the NSW Government to commit to overpass or underpass options at the intersection of Stacey St and Hume Highway, near the historic water tower.
Mr Clare has been pushing for improvements on this stretch for years, even raising the issue in parliament.
“The new works will be great news to the motorists and will help ease a lot of bottlenecks on that part of Stacey St,” Mr Clare told The Express.
“But they still have to fix up the rest of the road from the (Bankstown) railway line all the way to the Hume Hwy.
“I know the RMS is working on the designs for a 2km stretch of road but the State Government has not allocated any money for this.
“Stacey St is not only used by the locals but also by many from outside (the area).”
Transport for NSW executive director Sydney, John Hardwick, said the project was being
carried out in stages between Stanley St and Macauley Ave.
“Work will be carried out from Monday (November 25) on the northbound stretch of road
to help motorists enjoy a smoother and safer journey through Bankstown towards the
Hume Hwy,” Mr Hardwick said.
SIX-LANE PLAN TO EASE CONGESTION
“In April this year, work was completed to widen the southbound lanes between
Macauley Ave and Stanley St to provide an additional lane and to extend the
right turn bay on Stacey St for motorists turning into Macauley Ave.”
Mr Hardwick said the improvements wouldl provide greater vehicle capacity so motorists can expect reduced travel times and improved journey reliability.
“There will also be easier access out of Macauley Ave by providing dual right turning
lanes and a dedicated bus lane onto Fairford Rd,” Mr Hardwick said.
“Traffic flow will be improved from Stacey St into Stanley St with an extended right turning lane.”
The RMS is also installing new pedestrian crossing lights and pram facilities at the intersection of Stacey St, Stanley St and Salvia Ave.
Motorists are advised there will be temporary traffic changes during work hours.