east – west corridors rta southern region april 2007
TRANSCRIPT
SYDNEY
WollongongNowra
Batemans Bay
Bega
ACT
VIC
Southern RegionNorth – South Corridors
› Three main North – South Corridors:
» Princes Hwy» Hume Hwy» Federal & Monaro Hwys
› AUSLINK:» Princes Hwy
NO – (SYDNEY TO GWNNEVILLE)
» Hume HwyYES – (SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE)
» Federal HwyYES – (SYDNEY TO ACT)
» Monaro HwyNO
The need for efficientEast – West Corridors
› Limitations exist for freight on the Princes Highway» Sydney to Wollongong AUSLINK corridor (allowing HML / CML) extends only
to Gwynneville & does not include the Princes Hwy» 25m B-doubles can not legally utilise Princes Hwy between South Nowra &
Bega (H4), gazetted as “general access” only
› Other main north – south routes are less restrictive» Hume & Federal Highways are AUSLINK corridors, with provision for HML /
CML operation» Hume, Federal, & Monaro Highways are all gazetted to allow use by 25m B-
doubles» The inland routes are therefore the preferable north – south corridors for
freight
› Utilisation of north – south (Sydney – ACT – Melbourne) corridors from the Illawarra & the NSW south coast therefore requires access to safe & efficient east – west corridors
Southern RegionEast – West Corridors
› Four main regions of linkage:» Access to & from Wollongong» Access to & from Shellharbour /
Shoalhaven» Access to & from Eurobodalla» Access to & from Bega Valley
› Each region has different characteristics presenting their own unique challenges:
» Differing freight tasks» Differing topography» Differing availability of alternative routes» Differing regulatory constraints» Differing traffic mixes & road safety risks
› Most east – west corridors traverse an escarpment crossing
Wollongong
ShellharbourKiama
Nowra
Batemans Bay
Ulladulla
Bega
Eden
Narooma
Queanbeyan
SYDNEY
ACT
Jindabyne
VIC
Bombala
Cooma
Goulburn
Bowral
Braidwood
East – West Access to & from Wollongong
› DEMAND:» Coal & steel industry, and Port
Kembla port» Major urban expansion at
West Dapto» Proximity to Sydney
› SUPPLY:› Two inland east – west
routes:» MR177 Appin Rd» MR95 Picton Rd
› Two coastal escarpment crossings:
» Mt Ousley» Bulli Pass
MR95 Picton Rd
MR177 Appin Rd
Wollongong
Port Kembla
Bulli
Helensburgh
Mt Ousley
Appin
Wilton
West Dapto
Inland East – West RoutesMR95 Picton Rd
› MR95 Picton Road» Currently carries approx. 14,000 veh/day with 20% heavy vehicles» High incidence of crashes due to limited overtaking opportunities & high mix of
heavy vehicles» At present this route appears to be the preferred freight connection between the
Illawarra / Port Kembla & Sydney / HW2 Hume Hwy / M7 Sydney Orbital» Freight volumes are expected to increase as the Port Kembla port expands – 2008
onwards» The traffic mix on MR95 needs to be monitored & managed given the high
percentage of freight & increasing residential development (Macarthur area – Wilton)
› Potential» While not an AUSLINK corridor, there are provisions in the 2004 White Paper for
MR95 to be considered as a “transport link of regional significance”» This could see MR95 carrying HML / CML freight in the near future» Funding may become available to provide infrastructure upgrades:
Short term – additional overtaking lanesLong term – upgrade to two lanes in each direction
Inland East – West RoutesMR177 Appin Rd
› MR177 Appin Road» Currently carries approx. 11,000 veh/day with 14% heavy vehicles» The route has attracted attention in the past due to high crash rates» Together with MR95, this route serves as a freight connection between the Illawarra /
Port Kembla & SW Sydney / Campbelltown» Traffic mix on MR177 needs to be monitored & managed given the high percentage of
freight (Port Kembla & collieries) & increasing residential development (Macarthur area – Appin)
› Potential» The route could replace MR95 as the preferred freight connection to the Hume Hwy /
SW Sydney if Appin were to be bypassed & improved connectivity provided to the Hume Hwy
» While not an AUSLINK corridor, there are provisions in the 2004 White Paper for MR177 to be considered as a “transport link of regional significance”
» This could see MR177 carrying HML / CML freight in the near future» Funding may become available to provide infrastructure upgrades:
Short term – additional overtaking lanesLong term – two lanes in each direction, possible Appin bypass & link to Hume Hwy
Illawarra Escarpment CrossingsMR95 Mt Ousley
› MR95 Mt Ousley» Catering for approximately 40,000 veh/day, this is the main escarpment
crossing in the Illawarra & is part of the AUSLINK network» Extensive de-watering systems constantly monitor & manage potential slip
issues» Little practical scope to provide more lanes ~ what we have is what we’ve
got» Any strategies to manage future traffic on Mt Ousley need to incorporate
planning at other escarpment crossings (Bulli Pass)
› Potential» Given its AUSLINK status, the route is likely to be utilised for HML / CML» Short term
- funding may become available to investigate region wide escarpment crossing strategies
» Long term- possibility of upgrade to Old Mt Ousley Rd junction at base of Mt Ousley
Illawarra Escarpment CrossingsHW1 Bulli Pass
› HW1 Bulli Pass» Currently carries approx. 12,000 veh/day» The route is gazetted ‘general access’ only ~ no access to 25m B-Doubles» Provides link between northern suburbs of Illawarra & Sydney via Southern Fwy &
Appin Rd» Improvements to the Northern Distributor likely to increase pressure on Bulli Pass as an
alternative to Mt Ousley
› Potential» In the event of upgrades to MR177 (two lanes each direction, Appin bypass, improved
linkage to Hume Hwy), Bulli Pass would become a network constraint adjacent the upgraded Northern Distributor
» Pressure on the capacity of Mt Ousley may attract attention to Bulli Pass as an alternative
» Short term- funding may become available to investigate region wide escarpment crossing strategies
» Long term- a corridor has been reserved for a possible new Bulli Pass alignment- current freight restrictions may not apply if a new alignment were to proceed
East – West Access to & from Shellharbour / Shoalhaven
› DEMAND:» Local industry
(dairy) & quarries» Growth at West
Dapto & Nowra» Connectivity to
Hume Highway
› SUPPLY:› Three inland east
– west routes:» HW25 Illawarra
Hwy» MR264 Jamberoo
Mountain Rd» MR261 Nowra to
Bowral
Kiama
Shellharbour
Moss Vale
Bowral
Mittagong
Kangaroo Valley
Nowra
Berry
Robertson
Wollongong
West Dapto
HW25 Illawarra Hwy
MR261Nowra toBowral
MR264 Jamberoo Mtn Rd
Inland East – West RoutesHW25 Illawarra Hwy
› HW25 Illawarra Highway» Currently carries approx. 3,000 veh/day with 7% heavy vehicles» Escarpment crossing at Macquarie Pass impedes freight access & observes
high crash rates» Route is gazetted ‘general access’ only, however this does not restrict use
by 19m B-doubles < 50T, semi trailers, or buses» Use of Macquarie Pass by such vehicles is undesirable, however can not be
regulated due to road classification» The expansion of Port Kembla & increasing proposals for ‘inland ports’ in the
Southern Highlands is expected to increase desire for use of the route by heavy vehicles
› Potential» Alternative escarpment crossings at Macquarie Pass are impractical» Any strategies to manage future traffic on Macquarie Pass need to
incorporate planning at other escarpment crossings» Discouraging future freight use on Macquarie Pass without the ability to
regulate beyond ‘general access’ will be a challenge
Inland East – West RoutesMR261 Nowra to Bowral
› MR261 Nowra to Bowral» Currently carries approx. 3,000 veh/day with 6% heavy vehicles» Route is gazetted ‘general access’ only» Two escarpment crossings – Cambewarra Mountain & Barrengarry Mountain» 42.5T load limit exists for Hampden Bridge (Kangaroo Valley)» Nowra is one of the fastest growing centres in NSW, increasing pressure on
this route» Increasing complaints by the public over the use of the route by heavy
vehicles
› Potential» Heavy vehicle accessibility on the escarpment crossings could be reviewed,
however there are few plans for potential upgrades at this stage
Inland East – West RoutesMR264 Jamberoo Mountain Rd
› MR264 Jamberoo Mountain Road» Currently carries approx. 4,000 veh/day with 4% heavy vehicles, with only
1,000 veh/day traversing the escarpment crossing» 25m B-doubles permitted only between Robertson & Kangaroo Creek (above
escarpment)» Escarpment crossing is extremely narrow & winding ~ less accessible than
Macquarie Pass» Mainly recreational traffic
› Potential» Heavy vehicle accessibility on the escarpment crossing is extremely limited,
however there is little demand for improvement
East – West Access to & from Eurobodalla
› DEMAND:» Queanbeyan &
Nowra high growth areas
» HQJOC» Limited
alternative routes
» Recreational trips
› SUPPLY:› Two inland east
– west routes:» Main Road 92» MR51 Kings
Hwy
Queanbeyan
Braidwood
Captains Flat
Bungendore
Ulladulla
Batemans Bay
Nowra
MR51 Kings Hwy
Main R
oad 92
Inland East – West RoutesMR51 Kings Hwy
› MR51 Kings Highway» Currently carries approx. 4,000 veh/day with 6% heavy vehicles» Escarpment crossing at Clyde Mountain impedes freight access & observes high crash
rates» ‘General access’ between Batemans Bay & Braidwood (incl. Clyde Mountain)» Gazetted for 25m B-doubles between Braidwood & Queanbeyan» Limited availability of alternate east – west routes, therefore only practical route for
freight, commuters, & recreational traffic (ACT to Batemans Bay / coast)» Dept of Defence HQJOC currently under construction will increase pressure on capacity
between Bungendore & the ACT / Queanbeyan» Main Road 92 will increase heavy vehicle traffic
› Potential» The corridor was one of several CPoM ‘pilot’ studies undertaken across NSW» Strategic outcomes from pilot study are under review using latest available data &
software» Potential projects include provision of overtaking lanes, junction & road safety
treatments» Consideration could be given to uncoupling bays to assist accessibility across Clyde
Mountain
Inland East – West RoutesMain Road 92
› Main Road 92» The route will form a connection between Nowra & the ACT / Queanbeyan,
two of the fastest growing regional centres in NSW» Currently undergoing enhancement to improve accessibility
› Potential» The route will be monitored to gauge its effect on MR51 & the Princes Hwy
at Nowra
East – West Access to & from Bega Valley
› DEMAND:» Timber, fishing, & local industries (dairy)» Access to forestry areas
› SUPPLY:› Three inland east – west routes:
» HW4 Snowy Mountains Hwy» MR91 Pambula to Bombala» Imlay Rd (Forestry controlled)
HW4 Snowy Mtns Hwy
Imlay Rd
MR91 Pambula to Bombala
Bega
Eden
Bombala
Cooma
Bermagui
Pambula
Inland East – West RoutesHW4 Snowy Mountains Hwy
› HW4 Snowy Mountains Highway» Currently carries approx. 2,000 veh/day with 12% heavy vehicles» Escarpment crossing at Brown Mountain impedes freight access & observes
high crash rates» Brown Mtn gazetted for 19m B-Double CML (55T)» Access by 25m B-doubles is restricted, with uncoupling bays provided either
side of Brown Mountain» B-double accessibility on HW4 west of Monaro Hwy (Cooma) restricted to
‘general access’
› Potential» There is no short term likelihood of upgrading HW4 west of Monaro Hwy to
25m B-double status given length of road requiring upgrade & a number of bridges that would need to be replaced
» Brown Mountain uncoupling bays are believed to be a satisfactory solution to improving access across Brown Mountain (& a similar solution could be considered for MR51 at Clyde Mountain)
Inland East – West RoutesMR91 & Imlay Rd
› MR91 Pambula to Bombala» Currently carries approx. 1,500 veh/day (less in regional areas) with 8%
heavy vehicles» 25m B-doubles are gazetted to the west near Monaro Hwy, but restrictions
exist elsewhere» Potential – the restricted sections are not deemed suitable for heavy
vehicles
› Imlay Road» The route mainly services forestry vehicles travelling between the industry
on the coast & Bombala» Approx. 300 veh/day, carrying 450,000 to 500,000 Tonnes/yr» Equates to an estimated figure of approx. 15% heavy vehicles» Potential – Imlay Rd is a Forestry controlled road
Summary of Challenges
› Escarpment crossings are prevalent on all east – west routes» Road safety, traffic efficiency, & freight accessibility on all escarpment
crossings» Limits to potential for upgrades on Mt Ousley mean other escarpment
crossings such as Bulli Pass may need to be upgraded» Uncoupling bay strategy (similar to Brown Mtn) could be a solution to
improving accessibility on Kings Hwy (Clyde Mtn)
› Increasing industry & expansion of Port Kembla consume spare capacity
» Additional overtaking lanes could be considered for routes such as Kings Hwy, and Picton & Appin Rds
» Alternative to Mt Ousley could be an upgrade to Bulli Pass» Timber logging routes need to be managed
› Industrial development places pressure for freight on unsuitable routes
» Macquarie Pass
Summary of Challenges
› AUSLINK & selected routes will allow HML / CML» Bridge & pavement maintenance concerns on all routes
› Network upgrades attract freight to deficient links» Bulli Pass (in the event of Northern Distributor & Appin Rd upgrades)» Kings Hwy (due to Main Road 92)
› High growth areas increase freight on existing routes» Sydney, Port Kembla – Mt Ousley, Bulli Pass, Picton & Appin Rds» ACT / Queanbeyan, Nowra – Kings Hwy & Main Road 92