MEDIA RELEASE
30 November 2009
STATE-OF-THE-ART MESSAGE SIGNS
INSTALLED ON SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE
The RTA has finished installing the $5.5 million state-of-the-art message sign system
on the Sydney Harbour Bridge to improve road safety and traffic management.
RTA Director of Operations and Engineering Services Mike Veysey said the project
involved installing a total of 87 signs on the bridge and its approaches which will be
used to better manage events on the bridge such as maintenance work or traffic
incidents.
“Speed limits can change up to 20 times per month on the bridge because of
roadwork and major incidents,” Mr Veysey said.
“Currently the RTA has to physically install temporary signs when working on the
bridge.
“The electronic speed limit system will significantly improve response times by
allowing the RTA to change the speed limit at the touch of a button,” Mr Veysey said.
The new signs will be turned on and fully operational from 5am tomorrow morning
(Tuesday 1 December 2009) following a few months of testing.
“The system includes 37 permanent warning signs, 45 electronic speed limit signs
and three electronic message signs. The electronic message signs will be used to
show different messages while the messages on permanent warning signs will stay
the same.
“The permanent warning signs will advise motorists on the approaches to the bridge
that they are entering a variable speed limit zone.
“The large electronic warning signs will be used to warn motorists of any incidents
that are currently causing changed traffic conditions. These large signs can be seen
during heavy rain or fog and the messages will change depending on road
conditions.
“The electronic speed signs will only be used to change the speed limit in cases such
as traffic incidents, maintenance and special events,” he said.
Mr Veysey said the combination of electronic signs with appropriate static warning
signs will provide significant benefits for road users of one of the busiest roads in
Australia.
“It’s important that the RTA has all the tools necessary to best manage an incident
like a crash and that motorists are kept informed so they are aware of changed traffic
conditions.
“The electronic signs will also be easier to see at night which will improve road safety
for motorists, pedestrians and maintenance crews working on the bridge.
“The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the busiest roads in NSW and carries more
than 160,000 vehicles a day.
“This is about providing a new integrated approach to the way speed limits are
controlled on the Sydney Harbour Bridge which improves the safety of motorists,
commuters and road workers,” Mr Veysey said.
CONTACT:
RTA Media Unit 8588 5999
NEWS 
