Princes Highway upgrade

Intersection improvements on the Princes Highway, Figtree

Work is underway on upgrading key intersections on the Princes Highway at Figtree.

This $15 million upgrade includes improvements at the intersections of Princes Highway and Bellevue Road, The Avenue and Figtree Oval, and localised road widening.

In the 2011/12 NSW Government budget, $6 million was allocated to the project.

What's happening now? (May 2012)

The left slip lane at The Avenue is open to traffic. Motorists turning left onto the Princes Highway from The Avenue now have improved conditions to merge with traffic on the Princes Highway. The traffic signals to assist pedestrians to cross at The Avenue are not yet operational – a temporary crossing is in place until the lights are functioning later in the year.

Work to improve the Princes Highway is ongoing north of The Avenue. This work involves finalising electrical and water main relocations, new shared paths, kerb and gutter.

It is expected the overall project will be completed in late 2012, weather permitting.

Construction hours

Construction hours are between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. Some night work may be necessary to minimise impacts on traffic.

Residents and business operators will be notified in advance of any planned night work.

Work to date

  • The existing culverts have been extended on the Princes Highway south of The Avenue.
  • A number of properties were acquired in preparation for the implementation of the intersection improvements.
  • Tree removal along the Princes Highway has been completed in preparation for major road work.
  • Some utility relocation work has been completed.

Project benefits

The project to upgrade key intersections on the Princes Highway at Figtree will enhance public transport reliability and improve traffic efficiency through Figtree's CBD.

The key benefits of this project are:

  • Improved travel efficiency and increased capacity by providing two through lanes heading north and south on the Princes Highway.
  • Improved public transport reliability.
  • Improved road safety.
  • Reduced peak hour delays and queuing at intersections.
  • Separation of turning traffic and through traffic at key intersections to ease congestion.
  • Improved access to the local shopping precinct.
  • Enhancing the road corridor by providing additional garden and tree plantings.

Project features

  • Widening the Princes Highway to the east to accommodate extra turning bays.
  • Providing a right turn bay for motorists turning into Figtree Oval from Princes Highway northbound.
  • Banning the existing right turn movement out of Figtree Oval by constructing a concrete median in the centre of the highway.
  • Constructing a right turn lane from the Princes Highway into Bellevue Road.
  • Providing a bus only lane at the existing traffic lights at the intersection of Princes Highway and Bellevue Road.
  • Constructing a separated left turn lane and merge lane for traffic exiting The Avenue onto the Princes Highway and heading south.
  • Providing an additional, dedicated right turn lane on the Princes Highway northbound for motorists turning into The Avenue.
  • Landscaping of the road corridor, including replanting of advanced Moreton Bay Fig trees. On the eastern side of the Princes Highway north of Bellevue Road, 20 trees have been removed to allow for relocation of utilities and road widening work.
Location map