Reopening a disused tunnel could help keep cyclists safer between Wollongong and Sydney. Photo: Raul Mellado.
A lifesaving shortcut for cyclists could open up at Waterfall if Wollongong City Council has its way.
Cyclists travelling between Sydney and Wollongong are forced to cross the freeway at Waterfall if they want to take the quieter Old Princes Highway.
A 79-year-old woman was struck by a car and died on the same section of road in January this year.
A community petition to reopen the old toll booth tunnel under the F6 at Waterfall was launched in the wake of her death.
The disused tunnel connects to a service road that leads to the Old Princes Highway, however it is blocked by concrete and earth barricades.
Sections of the road are overgrown or in disrepair.
Wollongong Greens Councillor Jess Whittaker moved that the council write to the NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, to ask the State Government to investigate reopening the tunnel.
“It’s a piece of existing infrastructure that could be cleaned up and save lives,” Cr Whittaker said.
“It seems pretty straightforward and I think adding our support to the campaign would be really appreciated by the 1300-odd people who have already signed the petition.
“So often people take the car instead of a bike because of safety concerns or impediments in their route; we have an opportunity to look at this.”
Three members of the public spoke at the open forum to support the motion.
Labor Councillor Dan Hayes suggested the letter of support also be forwarded to the relevant NSW Government MP, Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart.
The variation was supported by all councillors.
Lord Mayor Tania Brown threw her support behind the motion.
“As a former cyclist from a cycling family I appreciate the pain of losing people on roads,” she said.
“Anything we can do to make our roads safer for cyclists I will support 100 per cent.”
The motion was carried unanimously.
To sign the petition, head here.
