Ferguson Avenue, Hazelbrook to Bass Street, Lawson

As part of the Great Western Highway upgrade at Lawson, it is planned to realign and widen the highway between Ferguson Avenue, Hazelbrook and Bass Street, Lawson, to a four lane divided road.

Status

In planning/design.

Funding

This section of the upgrade is fully funded by the NSW Government.

Overview

In December 2006 the RTA released its proposal for the highway upgrade between Ferguson Avenue and Bass Street, Lawson. The proposal involves realigning 600 metres of the main western railway line and widening the existing route of the highway to a four lane divided road, featuring a central median and sealed road shoulders.

A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) was displayed for public comment in June 2007. Nine submissions were received. To view or download the REF click the links in the document box below.

Project features

Widening of the existing highway to a four lane divided road with sealed shoulders.
Turning bays for right and left turn movements from the highway.
Realignment of 600 metres of the main western railway line to north of the Sydney Rock.
A new single span road bridge over the realigned railway.
T-intersections at Ferguson Avenue/Great Western Highway and Queens Road/ Great Western Highway.
Realignment of Badgery Crescent to the north and extension to the east to intersect with Queens Road.
A signalised intersection at Somers Street/ Great Western Highway, including a one way westbound ramp from Badgery Crescent and signalised pedestrian crossings.
A school bus stop and a turnaround in a Somers Street extension for safe bus and passenger access to the Catholic School.
Driveway access to Our Lady of Nativity Catholic Church from the turnaround in Somers Street.
Closure of access to Kitchener Street and Bass Street from the highway. Access to the highway will be via Mary Street and Orient Street.
Removal of the existing pedestrian crossing at the highway between Somers and Kitchener streets.
Location of bus stops to provide safe access for pedestrians.
An off-road shared pedestrian path/cycleway. Pedestrian access will be via a ramp from Kitchener Street and via stairs from Bass Street.
A wide shoulder for properties east of Queens Road accessing the highway.
Landscaping to enhance natural bushland and the township.

Project benefits

The project would have major benefits for the local community and through traffic:

Road safety - improved safety and reduced congestion for all road users.
Travel times - quicker travel times both within the region and to Sydney.
Improved access - better access for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.
Catholic precinct - improved access and safety at the Catholic church/school precinct.
Cyclist safety - improved safety for cyclists in both directions with wide, sealed shoulders on the highway. (A shared pedestrian/bicycle path would also be built along the length of project.)
Pedestrian safety - an off-road shared pedestrian/ cycle pathway, safer bus stop locations and signalized pedestrian crossings.
Local heritage – preservation of local, natural, cultural and historical landmarks including Sydney Rock, where eastbound travellers first view the coast, and the three mid-1800s to mid-1900s railway bridge crossings.
Local environment - extensive landscaping and urban design initiatives to enhance the character of the road and reduce the visual impact of the proposal. (Local native woodland species would be planted to supplement existing natural bushland.)

Note: An identified stand of sensitive flora species (personnia acerosa) would not be affected by the proposed road alignment.

Next steps

The project was approved in October 2007 and detailed design has commenced. Construction work is currently scheduled to commence in 2010.

The RTA will continue to consult the community on the detailed design and throughout construction activities.

Further information

For more information on the Lawson village redevelopment contact the Blue Mountains City Council project manager on 4780 5535.

For further information on the project please contact the RTA project manager, Ian Allan on 8849 2068 or by email to Ian_Allan@rta.nsw.gov.au