Thirroul traffic improvement proposals - Bulli and Thirroul traffic improvements

A preferred option and an alternative option are proposed for Thirroul.

Both options aim to improve travel times for individuals, public transport and freight and improve reliability across the transport network.

There would be impacts to parking under both options. We will ensure parking offsets are in place before the completion of the project

Changes to intersections and traffic management to create one continuous travel lane

A number of intersection and traffic changes would be implemented at key congestion points along Lawrence Hargrave Drive to create one continuous lane of travel.

The changes would allow transport users to travel continuously without being temporarily stopped behind cars turning right off Lawrence Hargrave Drive.

Changes are proposed at:

• The Esplanade
• Station Street
• Arthur Street
• Phillip Street
• King Street
• Lachlan Street
• McCauley Street
• Wrexham Road
• Raymond Road
• High Street

This option includes changes to existing on-street car parking and intersections to allow traffic to flow continuously through the town centre as well as the potential construction of a right turn lane at Station Street.

About 65 parking spaces will be impacted under this option. This includes about 33 in the shopping precinct between Phillip Street and Arthur Street.

The locations of impacted parking spaces are shown in the table and on the map below.

Introduction of clearways along Lawrence Hargrave Drive during peak hours on weekdays

Clearways would be implemented on Lawrence Hargrave Drive southbound between Church Street and the Princes Highway during the morning peak, and northbound between Prince Street and Mary Street during the afternoon peak. This would provide two continuous travel lanes for traffic through Thirroul.

To allow the operation of two continuous travel lanes, changes to existing on-street parking and intersections along Lawrence Hargrave Drive would need to be made, including:

• Weekdays southbound clearway between Church Street and the Princes Highway between 6:30am and 9:30am.
• Weekdays northbound clearway between Prince Street and Mary Street between 3pm and 6pm.
• Intersection improvements at Phillip Street, Wrexham Road and Hewitts Avenue/Prince Street.
• Potential intersection improvements at Station Street including the construction of a right turn lane.

Clearways are not proposed on weekends.

About 38 parking spaces along Lawrence Hargrave Drive would be impacted during the morning peak and about 73 during the afternoon peak. This includes about 27 in the morning peak and 34 in the afternoon peak in the shopping precinct between Phillip Street and Arthur Street.

The locations of impacted parking spaces are shown in the table and on the map below.

• What area does the project cover?
  The project covers Lawrence Hargrave Drive in Thirroul from Mary Street in the north to the Princes Highway in the south.
• How much parking will be lost under the preferred option?
  About 65 parking spaces will be impacted under this option. This includes about 33 in the shopping precinct between Phillip Street and Arthur Street.
• Will you provide any offset parking as a result of the preferred option?

  We recognise that creating a continuous travel lane along Lawrence Hargrave Drive will impact those who park between Hewitts Avenue and The Esplanade.

  To minimise impacts we will:

  • investigate options to increase capacity at the train station carpark, including changing the carpark layout and identifying where additional parking can be added.
  • investigate side street parking options, including reviewing existing parking restrictions and the provision of additional timed parking spaces.
  • We will continue to work with Wollongong City Council to identify options to offset parking and will ensure parking offsets are in place before the completion of the project.
• How much parking will be lost under the alternative option?
  About 38 parking spaces along Lawrence Hargrave Drive would be impacted during the morning peak and about 73 during the afternoon peak. Of these, 27 in the morning and 34 in the afternoon are in the shopping precinct between Phillip Street and Arthur Street.
• How would the proposed options work in with the Thirroul Plaza development?
  The options proposed for Thirroul have been designed in consideration of the possible future redevelopment of the Thirroul Plaza Precinct. Neither option would prevent or negatively impact on potential future redevelopment.
• Are these the only improvements planned for Thirroul?
  These proposals are the first stage of improvements planned for Thirroul. Transport will continue to work closely with Council on projects that will make walking, cycling and public transport more convenient transport options, investigating improved local road connections and developing a master plan for the township. We will keep the community updated as work progresses.
• Is widening Lawrence Hargrave Drive at Thirroul being considered?
  We are not considering widening Lawrence Hargrave Drive at Thirroul. The area is narrow and the land is steep and often unstable, so widening the road would be very difficult and would impact a large number of properties.
• Does this project include a plan for upgrading or widening the bridge over the railway line near Church Street?

  We are not currently considering upgrading or widening the bridge over the railway line near Church Street.

  Widening or upgrading the bridge would involve acquiring additional land and would have significant impact on nearby properties.

• How will either option improve traffic congestion and improve safety?

  Both options target known congestion points in the area.

  • The preferred option would reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and safety at the identified congestion points.

  • The alternative option would increase the road capacity, reduce congestion and improve traffic flow in the peak travel directions during weekdays.

• What is being done to address public transport in the area?

  The NSW Government has invested more than $5.3 billion in the More Trains More Services program, which includes delivering improvements for the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line, South Coast Line and T8 Airport & South Line.

  The More Trains, More Services program will simplify and modernise the rail network creating high capacity, turn up and go services for many customers. It means customers can expect more frequent train services, with less wait times, less crowding on a simpler and more reliable network. Customers using the South Coast rail line services between Wollongong and Sydney as well as express services at Wollongong, North Wollongong, Thirroul and Helensburgh can expect future service improvements as the MTMS Program is rolled out.

  As the program progresses, customers will be kept informed and have an opportunity to provide feedback on any proposed changes.

• Will you be improving access for emergency vehicles?
  Emergency vehicle access and response times are affected by issues related to right turn movements, on-street parking, traffic light phasing and general congestion. The proposals aim to reduce impacts to emergency services by improving safety and reducing congestion and travel times.
• Why are these changes needed?

  Lawrence Hargrave Drive at Thirroul provides a key travel route between Wollongong, its northern suburbs and Sydney.

  Traffic congestion is increasing in Thirroul, particularly where local roads join Lawrence Hargrave Drive. This is due to turning vehicles, parking and intersection capacity.

  To ensure the transport network continues to meet the needs of the growing population, we are proposing a preferred option and an alternative option to help ease congestion and create more reliable journeys through Thirroul, while ensuring the look and feel of the township in maintained.

• How did you come up with the two options?
  The proposed options have been developed following feedback from businesses, community members, key stakeholders and visitors during community consultation in late 2019.
• Why has it taken so long to come back to the community after the initial consultation was carried out?

  Following the release of the Consultation Report in June 2020, the project team has reviewed the feedback and suggestions and has developed a preferred option and an alternative option.

  The proposals take into account factors such as existing site constraints, traffic modelling data and feasibility criteria, which takes time to assess.

• What are the next steps for the project?
  The consultation period is now closed and the Thirroul Project Update is available. A detailed report will be released in early 2022. Designs will then be refined and an update provided on next steps.
• Will the traffic improvement work be done all at once or in separate stages?

  The work will be delivered in stages to help minimise impacts to transport users and residents. Some parts of the options require more detailed design before they will be ready to implement.

  We will keep the community updated as we refine the proposal and designs and as we have more information about the delivery of the work.

• How will we be kept informed about this project?
  We will keep the community updated as the work progresses. Subscribe to receive project updates.

Download the Thirroul traffic improvement FAQs.

• December 2021 Thirroul project update
• Thirroul traffic improvement project update
• Thirroul traffic improvement proposal overview poster
• Thirroul traffic improvement proposal parking impacts poster

• April 2022 feedback summary report