Cross City Tunnel – 2006 surface traffic changes

The NSW Premier, Morris Iemma announced changes to surface streets associated with the Cross City Tunnel project on 4 June 2006. The process for these modifications and the key changes are outlined below.

All the road changes have now been made. The RTA has withdrawn a planning submission to remove two bicycle lanes at King Cross and will not proceed with the two final changes proposed.

Work on the road changes commenced in July 2006. The approval by the Minister of Planning is below.

Description of the process

Key changes

1. Reopened the Bourke Street intersection on the southern side of William Street for left in/left out movements.
2. Removed the seagull island at the intersection of Sir John Young Crescent and Cowper Wharf Road to allow direct access to harbour crossing from Palmer Street/Sir John Young Crescent.
3. Re-introduced traffic signals at intersection of Palmer Street and Sir John Young Crescent to assist efficiency of traffic flow.
4. Re-opened Druitt Street to general traffic running westbound between Kent Street and Clarence Street.
5. Retained two right turn lanes from Elizabeth Street northbound into Park Street eastbound.
6. Provided an additional right-turn lane at Queens Cross for a turning movement from Darlinghurst Road northbound into Kings Cross Road eastbound.
7. Provided an additional general traffic lane eastbound along William Street east of Palmer Street.
8. Did not proceed with installation of a new bus lane southbound on Elizabeth Street between Park Street and Bathurst Street.
9. Did not proceed with installation of right turn bays in Park Street westbound into Pitt Street and eastbound into Castlereagh Street.
10. Changed Palmer Street from one lane northbound and one lane southbound between Sir John Young Crescent and Cathedral Street to two lanes northbound.
11. Reinstalled second right turn from Cahill Expressway off ramp to Cowper Wharf Road.