Blackwall Rd intersection plans released for comment
New plans for the intersections of Blackwall Rd with Allfield and Farnell Rds have been released for public comment.
Comments will be accepted until midnight on Wednesday, December 22.
"The community and stakeholders are invited to have their say on a concept design and the Review of Environmental Factors for the intersections," said Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Mr Adam Crouch.
Previously, Transport for NSW prepared "proposed strategic designs" to upgrade four intersections along Blackwall Rd and Memorial Ave.
These were circulated to neighbouring properties in March last year.
In an exercise that received little media coverage, community feedback was invited but only 30 responses received.
"Of the 30 responses, 16 were in relation to the Farnell and Allfield Road intersections," a new leaflet by Transport for NSW states.
"This has allowed Transport to progress to the next stage of the design, taking community feedback into consideration."
The leaflet states that, since last year's display, further planning and design work has resulted in four changes to the design.
A shared pathway on Farnell Rd has been relocated to the southern side.
The right turn bay northbound on Blackwall Rd into Allfield Rd has been lengthened.
A footpath on Allfield Rd has been extended to the Burge Rd corner.
And the northbound right turn bay from Blackwall Rd into Farnell Rd has been removed with the right turn not permitted.
The plans see no access out of Allfield Rd (east), with all hardware store traffic being forced to return to Blackwall Rd via Farnell Rd or to take another "back block" route.
A bus route would also be rerouted down Farnell Rd.
Farnell Rd would be resurfaced with kerb and gutter and footpaths on both sides of the road.
Mr Crouch said the NSW Government was providing up to $19 million "to improve travel time, reliability and safety for road users on the Woy Woy Peninsula by upgrading several key intersections".
He said: "Blackwall Road is used by up to 18,000 motorists each day and provides an essential link between Woy Woy and Memorial Ave.
"This area continues to grow and attract new residents, which is why we have acted now to improve safety and traffic flow for road users.
"Upgrading these intersections will reduce peak time congestion and encourage people to walk and ride by providing safer pedestrian and cyclist facilities.
"Both sets of upgraded traffic lights will be coordinated to allow traffic to flow smoothly along Blackwall Road."
The Transport for NSW leaflet an online information session would be held in late November where the community would have the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns with the project team.
"The community will be informed of the date and time via the project webpage and social media."
However, as of yesterday, with only two days remaining in the month, this does not appear to have happened.
The leaflet does not say whether previous plans to upgrade the McMasters Rd intersection and the intersections of Memorial Ave with Gallipoli Ave and Maitland Bay Dr will proceed.
The concept design and Review of Environmental Factors are available to view at nswroads.work/blackwall-road-intersection-upgrades.
Feedback may be submitted via email at central.coast.office@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Mr Crouch said: "Transport for NSW will carefully consider all feedback and will prepare a report detailing submissions and responses to be published in early 2022.
"The community and stakeholders will be kept informed as the project progresses."
Construction is expected to start in 2023 and take around 12 months to complete, weather permitting.
SOURCE:
Media release, 16 Nov 2021
Adam Crouch, Central Coast Secretary