Project features

• Widening the existing highway to four lanes with a central median and cycling facilities.
• Upgrading New Street from 'one way' to 'two way' traffic movements in conjunction with new traffic lights at the highway.
• Widening the railway overpass bridge at San Jose Avenue and providing new traffic lights at the highway.
• Upgrading the intersections of Orient, Charles and Ridge streets with full right turn 'seagull' type arrangements.
• Modifying the Honour Avenue intersection to permit only left-in movements and closure of Yileena Avenue at the highway.
• Constructing a shared pedestrian/cycle path along the south side of the highway.
• Providing convenient shop front parking on the proposed service road between New and Staples streets.
• Turning bays for right and left turn movements from the highway.
• Realigning 600 metres of the main western railway line to the north of the Sydney Rock.
• A new single span road bridge over the realigned railway.
• T-intersections at Ferguson Avenue and Queens Road.
• Realigning Badgery Crescent to the north and extending it to the east to intersect with Queens Road.
• Traffic lights at Somers Street and a one way westbound ramp from Badgery Crescent.
• A school bus stop and 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 signalised 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.