Work is proceeding on a project that will improve the reliability of bus services and the flow of general traffic on Balaclava Road, Marsfield, between Abuklea Road and the Epping Road intersection, in the morning traffic peak.

The improvements will complement other bus priority measures introduced in the Macquarie Park area as part of a NSW Government initiative that is creating 43 strategic bus corridors connecting key centres across Sydney.

Benefits for general traffic

• Improved travel times.
• Reduction in average vehicle delays at Balaclava Road/Epping Road intersection.
• Reduction in traffic queue lengths on Balaclava Road in the AM peak approaching the Epping Road intersection.

Benefits for buses

• Improved public transport access to the Macquarie Park business/retail area.
• Improved bus travel times and bus reliability on Balaclava Road between Abuklea Road and Epping Road.

Stage 1 works

The first stage of work began in mid-November 2011 and involves:

• Narrowing the centre median in Epping Road westbound at the Balaclava intersection to provide two right turn lanes for vehicles turning into Balaclava Road northbound to access Macquarie University.
• Relocating utility services and adjusting property boundaries on the south-eastern corner of the intersection of Balaclava Road and Epping Road.

Due to high traffic volumes in the area, the work is mainly being carried out at night between 8pm and 5am. If required, day work will be carried out between 7am and 6pm.

Some noise will be associated with the night work. However, every effort will be made to minimise these effects. Roads and Maritime Services apologises for any inconvenience this work may cause and appreciates the patience of residents and business operators.

Warning signs will be in place to alert drivers and pedestrians to changed traffic conditions during construction.

What happens next

Later stages of work will involve:

• Upgrading the Balaclava Road-Epping Road intersection to reduce traffic congestion and improve the flow of general traffic and buses.
• Creating an additional traffic lane on Balaclava Road on the approach to Epping Road. This will be achieved by narrowing the south-westbound general traffic lane in Balaclava Road between the Epping Road intersection and Koorong Street.
• Constructing a new slip lane for traffic turning left from Balaclava Road into Epping Road westbound.
• Converting the kerbside lane of Epping Road westbound to left turn only buses excepted approaching the Balaclava Road intersection.
• Replacing the existing roundabout with traffic lights at the intersection of Balaclava Road and Agincourt Road.
• Constructing an AM bus lane on the north-western side of Balaclava Road from Abuklea Road to just beyond Koorong Street. Note: The bus lane will operate Monday to Friday from 6am to 10am.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Further information

For further information, please telephone Roads and Maritime Services Project Engineer, Boutros Abd. on (0429) 505 958.or email Boutros_Abd@rta.nsw.gov.au or buspriority@rta.nsw.gov.au. Outside business hours, please contact the Transport Management Centre on 131 700.