Upgrades to the southern toll plaza precinct of the Sydney Harbour Bridge have been completed, improving bus connections for the 160,000 motorists who use the bridge every day.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey, said the investment included the removal of the existing toll booths, reconfiguring the intersection of York and Grosvenor streets, and installing new directional signs on the gantry.
“New line markings have also been put in place and road levels have been adjusted to realign the traffic and bus lanes,” Mrs Pavey said.
“With hundreds of thousands of motorists travelling across this iconic bridge every day it was important to streamline traffic movements into the city and onto the Western Distributor.
“As with all significant changes, it may take some time for motorists to get used to the new lane alignment so people should allow extra travel time and take care as they drive on the newly upgraded road.”
The main change for motorists is access to the City North via Grosvenor Street will be via lane 5 at all times and in the morning peak traffic heading into the CBD via lane 4 will be able to access Grosvenor Street or York Street.
“The change, which uses new movable medians, will enable smoother traffic flow at the intersection of York and Grosvenor streets in the busy morning peak,” Mrs Pavey said.
Crews will continue carrying out minor work including asphalting and installing new light poles until May 2018 to ensure a smoother journey and more consistent conditions.
Member for North Shore, Felicity Wilson, said motorists won’t be the only winners as a result of the upgrade with work also carried out to continue the bus lane from the bridge to York Street which is a major transport interchange for customers.
“Space has also been provided for layover bays for buses approaching York Street in the afternoon peak,” Ms Wilson said.
Ms Wilson said this upgrade is just one piece of the puzzle in completing a package of work on one of the world’s most iconic bridges.
“Sydney is a growing and thriving city, and the NSW Government is working hard to provide modern infrastructure for all motorists and communities.”
Planning work is continuing for upgrades at the northern end of the bridge as well as new and improved cycleways and ramps.
