The Western Distributor transport corridor

Transport is currently reviewing formal submissions to the Western Distributor Road Network Improvements project’s Review of Environmental Factors.
We thank you for your feedback and expect to release our submissions report for you to view on this website later this year.

Western Distributor Road Network Improvements will improve safety and efficiency at key traffic bottle necks, or pinch points on the Western Distributor and reduce the flow on effect of incidents on surrounding roads.

Why are improvements needed?

The Western Distributor is currently operating at capacity and experiencing heavy congestion, particularly during the weekday morning peak.

Introducing Smart Motorway technologies and other upgrades to the road network will help the growing number of road users to move through the network and reduce the flow on impact of incidents on surrounding roads.

Read on for information about projects currently in planning and delivery on and around the Western Distributor.

Key features

• constructing a new on-ramp connection to the Western Distributor from Fig Street, Pyrmont, heading towards the city
• modifying the Pyrmont Bridge Road and Bank Street intersection and changing the Pyrmont Bridge Road off-ramp from one lane to two lanes
• modifying the intersection at Allen Street and Harris Street
• enhancing visitor experience and refurbishing the two Anzac digger sculptures on the Anzac Bridge.

Benefits

• reducing crash incidents where multiple lanes merge.
• improved safety, smoother travelling for motorists (less stop-start driving and reduced need for motorists to cross multiple lanes)
• improved traffic flow at the intersection of Allen Street and Harris Street, and reduced queuing on the Allen Street and Pyrmont Bridge Road off-ramps
• reduced pedestrian and cyclist wait times at the Pyrmont Bridge Road and Bank Street intersection
• preserving and refurbishing the Anzac digger memorial sculptures
• improved connectivity between the Anzac statues and other memorials in the area which will enhance the recognition of the Anzacs and their legacies
• improved reliability at road network pinch points

Thank you for your feedback

Transport is currently reviewing formal submissions to the Western Distributor Road Network Improvements project’s Review of Environmental Factors.

We thank you for your feedback and expect to release our submissions report for you to view on this website later this year.

We’ll be distributing a print community update to let everyone know of where to read the submissions report when it is available. We’ll also send you email updates to keep you updated about the project, if you’ve subscribed to the newsletter.

What is a Smart Motorway?

A Smart Motorway uses real-time information, communication and traffic control systems in and alongside the road to improve traffic flow. Variable electronic road signs and messages communicate to drivers how to best travel along the motorway for a safer, more consistent journey with less congestion. 

About the project

As part of the Western Distributor Smart Motorway project, up to 15 gantries will be installed along the Western Distributor between Sydney Harbour Bridge and Anzac Bridge.

These gantries will provide integrated electronic speed and lane use signs, automatic incident and vehicle detection, and CCTV coverage, with variable message signs. Together, these smart technologies along the corridor will provide an improved and smoother driving experience for motorway users.

Benefits

The Western Distributor Smart Motorway project will:

• assist with congestion by using real time speed limit management  to even out traffic flow on the Western Distributor, resulting in less stop-start driving and more reliable travel times
• provide faster incident response times using automatic incident identification technology and, when necessary, allow vehicles to continue to move around incidents using dynamic electronic lane use signage (already in operation on the Sydney Harbour Bridge)  
• provide better wayfinding and an improved and smoother driving experience for motorway users.  

When will construction begin?

We will notify our stakeholders of the planned construction dates and expected impacts as we get closer to commencing works on site.

Current Work

Geotechnical and utility investigations are currently underway to inform the design of proposed upgrades to signage, IT services or potential gantries.

This work will take place at ground level near sections of the Western Distributor. Investigations enable our engineers to develop thorough design options, and we will inform residents about our plans.

• August 2022 review of environmental factors

  The Western Distributor transport corridor.

• Appendix C
  Arboricultural Assessment.

• Appendix D
  Non-Aboriginal Statement of Heritage Impact.