When was the project opened to traffic?

The new bridge was opened to traffic on Friday 28 January 2011 to enable finalisation work to be undertaken.

The Inner West Busway, including the lane management scheme in Drummoyne, was opened to traffic on Sunday 30 January 2011.

King George Park was officially opened on 7 may 2011. 

Can the bus lane also be used as a T3 lane?

No. The bus lane will replace the T3 lane; however three lanes are being retained for general traffic.

Click here to read how to use bus lanes safely and legally.

How does the Zipper improve safety for pedestrians and motorists?

The moveable median barrier, as part of a new lane management scheme in Drummoyne, improves safety for both pedestrians and motorists.

The median strip between Iron Cove Bridge and Robert Street, Rozelle has been replaced with a narrower taller kerb that also enhances road safety.

These new medians provide a physical barrier between the lanes of opposing traffic and encourage pedestrians to cross the road at traffic signal controlled intersections.

Will the Inner West Busway increase the traffic carrying capacity of Victoria Road during the AM peak?

The Inner West Busway will not change the traffic carrying capacity or the traffic mix on Victoria Road during the AM peak. It will provide a new citybound bus lane without reducing the number of general traffic lanes.

Will there be changes to bus stops in Drummoyne?

There will be changes to some bus stops during the AM peak (weekdays between 6 and 10am) to enable the Inner West Busway and Victoria Road to operate efficiently.

• The bus stops at Seymour Street (citybound), Park Avenue (citybound), Church Street (westbound) and Tavistock Street (westbound) will be closed during the AM peak
• A new bus stop at Cary Street will open for use in the AM peak weekdays.

What is the Zipper?

The Zipper is part of the new lane management scheme called the Quickchange Moveable Barrier System. The Zipper is a purpose built vehicle designed to pick up and transfer a string of concrete barriers weighing about 11 tonnes to a new alignment in a short period of time, whilst operating in live traffic streams.

Why use the Zipper?

The Zipper provides the safest and most efficient lane management technology available. With this system, the lane assignment on Victoria Road can be quickly changed, while the operators are not exposed to live traffic. This is a long term traffic management solution for the effective operation of the bus lane. In addition, the solid barrier separates opposing traffic flows to provide maximum safety for motorists. The barrier will also encourage pedestrians to use signalised crossings.

How fast does the Zipper travel?

The Zipper can travel up to 30km/h but will travel at much lower speeds when transferring barriers.

How long does it take to transfer the barriers?

The concrete barriers will be moved between Iron Cove Bridge and Seymour Street, Drummoyne. It typically takes around 12 minutes to complete the first daily transfer and between 15-20 minutes to return the barriers to the centre of Victoria Road. 

Who drives the Zipper?

Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority)'s road services staff operate the machine.

Will the Inner West Busway cause traffic noise levels on Victoria Road to increase?

Traffic noise levels are not predicted to increase until up to 10 years after the project is completed in 2011, and then by only a very small amount. This is a result of traffic increases stemming from population growth and land use changes not attributable to the project.

Why has the right turn into Gordon and Evans streets been restricted?

The right turn lanes into Gordon Street (citybound) and Evans Street (westbound) were removed to facilitate the operation of the AM peak citybound bus lane through Rozelle.

What are the AM peak arrangements in Rozelle?

A lane management scheme was introduced at the Darling Street, Rozelle in 2009. The westbound dual right turn lanes are switched to a through lane and a right turn lane in the morning peak.

The changes outlined above enable the provision of a bus lane without reducing the number of lanes for general traffic through Rozelle.

Will the temporary staircase located underneath Iron Cove Bridge in Rozelle stay?

The staircase has been built as a temporary feature for alternate access during construction of the new bridge over Iron Cove. Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) will consider leaving them in place if requested by Leichhardt Council.

Will Brett Park car park be restored as park land upon completion of the project?

Following the completion of the Inner West Busway, Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) will retain or restore the park, as directed by Canada Bay Council.

Will pedestrians be able to access the Birkenhead Point side of Iron Cove Bridge from the new bridge over Iron Cove?

A new ramp has been built as part of the project's cyclist and pedestrian improvements. It links the new Iron Cove Bridge to the Bay Run on Henley Marine Drive, Drummoyne. Access between Birkenhead Point and the Bay Run via Henley Marine Drive is retained.

Click here to read more about improvements to cyclist and pedestrian facilities as part of the Inner West Busway project.

What are the new parking arrangements in Drummoyne?

A new AM peak clearway will be in place on the westbound carriageway in Drummoyne. This means parking will not be permitted from Iron Cove Bridge to Gladesville Bridge between 5.30 and 10am Monday to Friday.

A new PM peak bus lane will be in place on the citybound carriageway in Drummoyne. This means parking will not be permitted from Gladesville Bridge to Iron Cove Bridge between 3 and 7pm Monday to Friday.