The major roads of the Shore Regional Organisation of Councils (SHOROC) have been identified as high on the list of the Australia’s worst, with congestion coming at a huge economic cost to Sydney and Australia.
A national audit of the country’s infrastructure by Infrastructure Australia identified Warringah Road and Mona Vale Road as two of the top five costliest corridors to the Australian economy, while Transport for NSW has identified the Spit/Military Road corridor as the most congested in Sydney.
“We all know how bad these corridors are,” said SHOROC President and Mosman Mayor Councillor Peter Abelson.
“This latest study demonstrates the huge economic impact of congestion on our local roads, reinforcing the urgency of investment to fix the congestion for the long term.
“It’s vital the NSW Government moves forward and constructs the planned Northern Beaches Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and major Warringah Road upgrades as a matter of priority”
“This report also makes it critical that the NSW Government urgently move to deliver the missing pieces of the Northern Beaches Transport Plan that are key to addressing this congestion: the tunnel linking the region with the CBD and a Warringah Road Bus Rapid Transit route linking Dee Why and Chatswood.”
Priorities for NSW Government action at the next stage are the fast tracking of the implementation of Bus Rapid Transit for the Dee Why-Chatswood link, finalising a plan to build the Northern Beaches Link in the next 10 years, and upgrading Mona Vale Road to four lanes along its entire length.
SHOROC supports the NSW Government’s Northern Beaches Transport Action Plan, which includes $633 million for a Mona Vale to the city Bus Rapid Transit, Warringah Road upgrades and feasibility studies for a Northern Beaches tunnel, but needs to see a commitment for East West BRT immediately which is clearly highlighted in the report.
“Seeing this plan to fruition will make an enormous difference for our region. Sustainable public transport and less congestion will benefit our economy, our community and our environment.
“We are looking forward to working with the NSW Government to deliver the road and public transport upgrades this precinct and the whole region needs.”
