An environmental assessment of the $156 million upgrade of Victoria Road at Rozelle and Drummoyne is on display from today until Tuesday 25 November 2008.

“This project is about reducing travel times for the 200,000 bus commuters who use Victoria Road each week,” an RTA spokesperson said.

“The preferred option was announced in July after extensive consultations with the community and is subject to an environmental assessment.”

The project includes:

• A 3.5km citybound bus lane through Drummoyne and Rozelle during the morning peak
• A city bound bus lane through Drummoyne to Terry Street in Rozelle during the afternoon peak
• A tidal flow traffic scheme and parking restrictions through Drummoyne
• An additional three lane bridge over Iron Cove on the western side of the existing bridge with cycling and pedestrian ramp connections to the Bay Run
• New traffic arrangements through Rozelle.

“Giving buses priority in the peak will reduce bus travel times from the Gladesville Bridge to the Crescent at Rozelle by up to 18 minutes,” the RTA spokesperson said.

“Traffic studies show that a bus trip in the morning peak at the moment can take up to 28 minutes, but modelling shows this could be reduced to around 10 minutes when the upgrade is complete.”

The spokesperson said the environmental assessment is a part of the planning approval process.

“The environmental assessment examines the potential impact of the project during its construction and operation.

“It’s important that the local community provides their feedback during this next stage of the project.

“The RTA received over 1200 submissions during community consultation on the project’s design and where possible the project was refined to incorporate those ideas.

“This is another chance for the community to have their say by making written submissions to the Department of Planning,” the RTA spokesperson said.

All environmental assessment documents are available by phoning the RTA project team on 1300 780 841 or downloading them from the website.

The environmental assessment is on display at the following locations:

• Five Dock Library
• Leichhardt Citizen Service Centre
• Temporary Balmain Library at the Balmain Town Hall
• Italian Forum Library
• Gladesville Library
• City of Sydney One Stop Shop Kent Street
• Department of Planning Bridge Street
• RTA Head Office 260 Elizabeth Street
• Canada Bay Civic Centre Drummoyne
• Hunters Hill Council
• Nature Conservation Council of NSW Kent Street

The submissions will be considered by the Director-General of Planning and then the Minister for Planning will determine whether or not to approve the project.

The RTA will also hold the following community information sessions:

• Saturday November 1 and 8 at Rozelle Markets,
• Saturday November 8 at Birkenhead Shopping Centre; and
• Saturday November 15 at Gladesville Shopping Centre.

For more details, visit www.rta.nsw.gov.au/victoriaroad.