Between The Old Northern Road Narellan and Mersey Road Bringelly

In November 2011 Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) released the preliminary concept design to widen the generally two lane road to a four lane divided road between The Old Northern Road, Narellan and Mersey Road, Bringelly. The proposed concept design was on display for community comment until Friday 16 December 2011. For more information, read the latest community update on the project documents page.

Background

The Northern Road upgrade is approximately 14 kilometres long and will form one of the principal arterial transport corridors within the South West Growth Centre.

There will be significant traffic growth in future years due to residential and commercial development in the South West Growth Centre and nearby areas.

Roads and Maritime Services has commenced the upgrade of Camden Valley Way and progressed planning for the future upgrade of Bringelly Road.

In July 2010, Roads and Maritime Services displayed an access strategy for the upgrade of The Northern Road between The Old Northern Road and Mersey Road.

The proposed concept design for The Northern Road upgrade incorporates changes to the design. These changes are in response to feedback received through community comments and further planning investigations.

For further information about the South West Growth Centre, click here.

Features

• An upgrade from a generally two lane to a four lane divided road with central median.
• The wide central median will allow for future widening to six lanes, if required in the future.
• A posted speed limit of 80km/h.
• A three metre wide off-road shared pedestrian/cyclist path.
• Two metre wide shoulders.
• Adjustments to public utilities such as gas, electricity and telephone services along the route.
• Designated turning lanes, and bicycle and pedestrian crossing provisions at traffic lights.
• Bus priority capability at traffic lights and indented bus bays.
• Temporary U-turn facilities at selected future precinct link roads.
• Existing properties along The Northern Road would continue to have left in/left out access, until precinct development takes place and other access arrangement are in place.

Benefits

• Increased capacity for future traffic growth.
• Improved safety for motorists by:
  • Constructing new intersections with traffic lights to access precincts.
  • Constructing a central median to separate opposing traffic flows.
  • Constructing turning lanes at intersections.
• Improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians by providing an off-road shared path.
• Improved travel times when development occurs.
• Access to future South West Growth Centre precincts along The Northern Road.
• Improved access and travel times for road freight in Sydney's South West.
• Bus priority capability at traffic lights.
• Landscaping consistent with other main road upgrades such as Camden Valley Way.

Changes to the design

The following changes have been made to the design since the access strategy was displayed in July 2010:

• Maryland Link Road 2 has been shifted approximately 250 metres north.
• Maryland Link Road 3 has been changed from a T-intersection with traffic lights to a four-way intersection with traffic lights.
• Additional U-turn facilities are proposed on Belmore Road and Greendale Road.

What's happening now?

In May 2011, Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) was engaged by Roads and Maritime Services to progress the concept design, planning and environmental studies for The Northern Road upgrade.

Field investigations to help develop the concept design are underway which include survey, geotechnical investigations, flora and fauna studies, noise monitoring as well as examination of heritage items, including those of Aboriginal significance. These investigations are a critical part of planning for the upgrade and property owners' assistance to enable access during these studies is appreciated.

What happens next?

Community comments regarding the preliminary concept design for the upgrade of The Northern Road between The Old Northern Road, Harrington Park and Mersey Road, Bringelly will be considered by  Roads and Maritime Services.

The concept design will be developed and a review of environmental factors prepared.

The concept design and review of environmental factors will then be displayed for further community comment.

Have your say

Please send written comments to:

The Northern Road Project Team
Roads and Maritime Services
PO Box 164
ST LEONARDS NSW 1590

Or email your comments to:
TheNorthernRoadNSW@GlobalSKM.com

For further information

For further information about The Northern Road upgrade please contact The Northern Road Project Team on 1800 257 484 or email TheNorthernRoadNSW@globalskm.com