MEDIA RELEASE
18 January 2010
SPIT BRIDGE OPENING TIMES ANNOUNCED
The new weekday opening times for the Spit Bridge have been announced after
community consultation last year.
An RTA spokesperson said the new times would improve traffic flow on the busy corridor.
“The 8km long Spit-Military Road corridor is one of Sydney’s busiest routes, with around
70,000 motorists and 60,000 bus commuters using the road on a typical weekday,” the
spokesperson said.
“Last year a $48 million upgrade of the corridor was announced to improve traffic flows on
the northern Sydney arterial corridor.
“The upgrade will mean northern beaches bus commuters on the corridor will be the first to
benefit from a new GPS-based bus priority system which will improve bus travel time
reliability.
“The new weekday opening times will be 10.15am, 11.15am, 1.15pm, 2.15pm and
8.15pm. There will also be a special 9.15pm opening during Daylight Saving,” the
spokesperson said.
Weekend times have not changed.
The spokesperson said the changes would keep traffic moving and reduce congestion as
well as give adequate opportunities for boat users travelling under the bridge.
“There will no longer be crossings at 2.45pm or 7.30pm – a key peak period for motorists.
“This will reduce the number of weekday openings from eight to six, including the daylight
saving crossing.”
The spokesperson said the RTA has listened to the community during the consultation
period.
“The community has made it clear they would like fewer opening times and we have
delivered on that,” the spokesperson said.
“We have also listened to NSW boat owners and operators who have requested that the
opening times be standardised to 15 minutes past the hour which we have done.
“The RTA would like to thank the community for their support during the community
consultation period.”
The RTA will be placing advertisements in all major and suburban newspapers as well as
installing road signs in the lead up to the change to alert motorists to the new times.
The RTA will also be mailing local residents to provide them with additional information
about the changes.