The proposed shared bridge over Mt Ousley Road. Photo: Transport for NSW.
Transport for NSW has released a proposed design for the reinstated shared bridge over the Mt Ousley Interchange and is calling for feedback from the community.
Angry residents took Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and local politicians to task last year when they discovered an overbridge included in early plans for the $390 million project had been deleted without consultation.
Residents rallied to demand the bridge be reinstated to provide pedestrians and cyclists a safe crossing over Mt Ousley Road.
TfNSW bowed to pressure and has since worked with Wollongong City Council, community groups and other stakeholders to develop a proposed concept design.
It said key considerations raised during early consultation and considered during the development of the concept design included improving safety, accessibility and use of the crossing for pedestrians and cyclists, sustainability and minimising environmental impacts including tree and vegetation clearing and ensuring the bridge could be safely and efficiently built and maintained.
Features of the proposed bridge include:
- An accessible 4-m wide shared path for pedestrians and cyclists that incorporates a bridge over Mount Ousley Road adjacent to McMahon Street
- Connections from the southern side of Mount Ousley Road to other planned shared paths across the M1 Princes Motorway and towards Wollongong TAFE
- A designated, accessible, raised pedestrian crossing at Dumfries Avenue
- A 130-m shared path along the southern side of Dumfries Avenue, connecting the new bridge to the new pedestrian crossing
- Traffic calming measures along Dumfries Avenue to the east and west of the crossing
- Stairs, with a wheeling channel for cyclists to more easily move bikes up and down the stairs, helping to provide access to the north and east
- Landscaping and revegetation, along with urban design treatments.
Community members can provide feedback on the plans before Friday 2 May by clicking here.
A drop-in information session will be held at Bass Park on Dumfries Avenue, Mt Ousley, on Thursday 10 April from 3 to 6 pm to discuss the bridge design, and provide an opportunity to ask TfNSW staff questions about the project.
Minister for the Illawarra and Keira MP Ryan Park thanked community groups, residents and other stakeholders who were instrumental in the development of the proposed design.
“The local insight into issues and other considerations for the design of the bridge and surrounding connections has been invaluable and has led to a well-thought-out proposal for the broader community to provide feedback on,” he said.
Federal Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes said it was a great example of three levels of government working together to achieve the desired outcome for the community.
She said the concept plan provided active transport links for the community while maintaining critical access to Port Kembla for overheight vehicles.
More information on the shared path bridge and the Mt Ousley Interchange is available on the project website, or by phoning 1800 792 918.
