MEDIA RELEASE
22 January 2010
SPIT/MILITARY ROAD PROJECTS ANNOUNCED
The RTA today announced work would start on three projects on Spit/Military Road as part
of the $48 million upgrade of the important transport corridor.
An RTA spokesperson said the three projects were designed to improve traffic flow, travel
times and safety for motorists and bus commuters.
“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 so these
improvements are going to benefit a large number of people,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the first project will eliminate a significant safety problem around
the Spit West Reserve car park.
“Vehicles currently leaving the Spit West Reserve car park to head south must pull out
across 60km/h northbound traffic to get into the southbound lane.
“To improve safety the RTA will move the car park entrance/exit point and build a new one
at the traffic lights of the Spit and Parriwi roads intersection.
“This will give motorists a controlled location with lights where they can safely exit the car
park without pulling out across vehicles travelling at the speed limit,” the spokesperson
said.
In a significant upgrade to pedestrian safety, the spokesperson said the RTA will also build
a new pedestrian bridge over Spit Road at Parriwi Road.
“This will mean pedestrians will be able to cross at any time without needing to wait for the
traffic lights,” the spokesperson said.
The second project involves putting a morning peak tidal flow scheme in place on Spit
Road around the intersection with Ourimbah Road.
The spokesperson said the new tidal flow initiative will improve conditions at the
intersection, especially for through traffic.
“The tidal flow initiative will be in place between 6am and 10am and will mean four lanes
heading south and two lanes north during this morning period,” the spokesperson said.
The road is currently three lanes in each direction.
“This will allow for two right turning lanes at the intersection with Ourimbah Road which will
greatly reduce congestion at the intersection for southbound vehicles heading towards the
city,” the spokesperson said.
The tidal flow scheme will extend from Ourimbah Road to Awaba Street in the first stage
and a decision to extend the scheme to Parriwi Road will be made after analysing the
results for this section.
The third project involves upgrading a number of street lights along the corridor which are
too close to the roadway for heavy vehicles.
“Twenty-four kerbside street lights along the corridor do not provide enough clearance for
larger vehicles like trucks and buses, are sometimes hit as the vehicles approach and
leave the kerb,” the spokesperson said.
“Traffic congestion can sometimes occur as buses merge partly into the second lane to
avoid hitting the poles.
“These light poles will be upgraded and moved away from the kerbside so they no longer
represent a hazard to larger vehicles. The RTA will also be installing 15new lights along
the corridor.”
The spokesperson said these projects were in addition to other projects already started or
completed for the busy corridor.
“A significant achievement since the $48 million project was announced in August 2008
has been the new bus priority system installed by the RTA.”
“The upgrade will mean northern beaches bus commuters on Spit and Military roads will
be the first to benefit from a new GPS-based bus priority system to improve the reliability
of bus travel times.
“Installation of the new system on 300 buses at Brookvale and Mona Vale depots is
already complete and is being tested,” the spokesperson said.
These three projects are planned to start from March 2010, weather permitting.
CONTACT:
RTA Media Unit 8588 5999
NEWS 
