Planned improvements

Local street improvements following the opening of the Lane Cove Tunnel

The RTA and local government have been reviewing impacts on local residential streets following the opening of the Lane Cove Tunnel. The RTA and Councils engaged in extensive community consultation and resolved to develop plans that:

• Make drivers aware that they are entering a residential area.
• Make residential streets a less desirable through route by reducing road width and slowing traffic.
• Improve safety for pedestrians by narrowing road width to make crossing easier.

As part of the process, the RTA was required to prepare a local area traffic management plan prior to the opening of the Lane Cove Tunnel and to undertake ‘before’ and ’after’ traffic counts on local streets located in the local government areas of North Sydney, Lane Cove, Willoughby and Ryde. This was to determine if the operation of the Lane Cove Tunnel caused changes in traffic volumes and behaviour on local residential streets.

Where are we now?

After consideration of community comments, the plans were finalised and in consultation with local councils were submitted to the Director General of the Department of Planning for approval.

The Department of Planning has approved the process. Councils and the community advisory groups have been briefed on the outcomes and plans for local road works have been finalised.

The ‘after’ traffic counts were undertaken in December 2008, Click here to view the Lane Cove Tunnel Post-opening Traffic Evaluation. Local Street Improvements –October 2009.

In summary, many of the increases in traffic volumes predicted in the Lane Cove Tunnel Environmental Impact Statement (October 2001) did not occur. In many instances, volumes reported are similar to, or less than, the ‘before’ counts undertaken at the same time in 2004.

The RTA presented the results of these traffic counts to local councils in June 2009. The RTA and councils agreed to proceed with undertaking the local street improvements outlined during community consultation undertaken in 2006.

Community consultation

Community advisory groups were established covering the following areas:

• Crows Nest, Cammeray and Neutral Bay.
• Artarmon and Willoughby
• Lane Cove and Chatswood West.
• Ryde.

Representatives from residential areas, businesses, cycle groups and local councils met on four occasions between October 2005 and February 2007. Click here to download notes from these meetings. 

Community Updates including a copy of the map and questionnaire were sent to business and residents in each of the local areas. Click here to view Community Updates October 2006.

Previous stages of the plan and community input

2001-04:

Environmental assessments identified local roads that may benefit from traffic management.

Late 2004:

‘Before’ traffic counts are undertaken on local residential streets.

2005-06:

Consultation with residents, businesses, bicycle groups and local councils developed measures to reduce the impacts of an increase in traffic or enhance the benefits of a reduction in traffic volumes.

Early 2006:

Each council agrees with the content of these plans prior to this display.

October 2006:

The draft plans were placed on display for four weeks to seek community input.

Late 2006:

After community feedback and input the plans were finalised and, in consultation with local councils, submitted to the Director General of the Department of Planning for approval.

2007:

The Director General of the Department of Planning approves the local area traffic management plan. Councils and the community advisory groups are briefed on the outcomes.The RTA reaches an agreement to the final local area traffic management plan in consultation with the traffic advisory council.

Late 2008:

‘After’ traffic counts are undertaken on local residential streets.

Early 2010:

The four councils proceed with undertaking the local street improvements outlined during community consultation undertaken in 2006.

Further information

For enquiries regarding the local street improvements, please call the RTA on (02) 8588 5720.