Speed Zone change on the way for Bourke Street at Wollongong
A reduced speed limit of 50 km/h will soon be introduced within the Wollongong CBD to improve safety and connectivity.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the change, which is supported by the council and NSW Police, would strengthen safety upgrades already carried out, including the installation of traffic lights earlier this year at the intersection of Bourke and Virginia streets.
“This new speed zone, backed by Wollongong City Council and NSW Police, better supports the shared use of the road corridor which serves as a key walking and cycling route connecting the busy North Wollongong Station to the North Wollongong beach and Stuart Park foreshore precincts,” the spokesperson said.
“The change supports future investigations by council to strengthen the cycling provisions along this route and is more appropriate given the increased high density residential development in the area.”
The Transport for NSW spokesperson said there were 16 crashes recorded along the entire stretch of Bourke Street from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2021, including11 separate incidents resulting in 14 people being injured.
“This speed zone change will go even further to reduce the severity of incidents and better suits the nature of the surrounding road environment,” the spokesperson said.
The project also proposes to enhance pedestrian safety by installing traffic signals with filter right turn phase and restricting right turn movements from Bourke Street into Keira Street.
The NSW Government provided $1.56 million for the safety upgrades through the Safer Roads Program.
The new speed limit will apply from Friday 12 September.
Traffic control and a reduced speed limit will be in place during the installation of the new speed limit signs, for the safety of road users and workers.
Electronic signs will be in place for one week before and after the speed limit reduction to alert motorists to the change.
Members of the community can sign up at the Safer Roads NSW website to receive updates about changes to permanent speed limits in their area and to have a say on speed limits.
For more information visit https://www.saferroadsnsw.com.au.