Broadening Broadway

Broadway footpaths outside UTS are likely to be significantly narrower after the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) installs an extra traffic lane.

The change is the result of a new signalised intersection planned for Balfour Street, which will lead into the Central Park site.

The RTA requires the closure of Jones Street (running from Broadway through UTS) to enable the plan.

City of Sydney Council has opposed the reduction of pedestrian walkway and the resultant removal of Plane trees, but the RTA has authority over the space and is able to overrule Council.

The closure of Jones Street received no objections, and is supported by UTS. However, Council’s Traffic Committee decided to not allow the closure until the issue of road widening was resolved.

The plan calls for a middle lane of Broadway to become right-hand turning bays into Balfour Street and Wattle Street.

RTA traffic modelling concluded that the change would increase traffic delays during peak hour, and said widening the road was necessary.

Frasers Property and the Department of Planning said constructing the new intersection later than mid 2010 would stall construction of Central Park’s Jean Nouvel building.

Council says the Transport Ministry did not respond to Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s request for a trial lane closure.

Bus stop changes will be made on Thomas Street, parallel to Broadway, for bus routes that use Jones Street.

Frasers Property is required to fund the Jones Street reconstruction, and many of the ensuing changes.

By Lawrence Bull