JULY 2006

Bourke Street south re-opened on Friday 7 July 2006 for “left in, left out” access at William Street. This is the first of Premier Morris Iemma’s reversal of 13 out of the 73 hated road closures and “changes” associated with Cross City Tunnel funneling.

DRAG congratulates the Premier and Minister for Roads for listening to residents and small business. We also thank the Parliamentary Committee into the Cross City Tunnel for recommending that roads be immediately re-opened and the NRMA for their support.

Last but not least, thanks to the hundreds of people who wrote, petitioned and phoned Town Hall, RTA and Macquarie Street. Over 3,600 local people signed our Open Public Roads Petition.

It’s been a long fight and it’s a big symbolic victory. Handing a public monopoly over roads to a private toll operator is the big issue. The principle is that the private sector should bear the financial risk associated with public-private partnership projects.”

The Parliamentary Inquiry recommended reversing all 73 of the closures and ‘changes’ associated with tunnel funneling.

There’s a lot more to do. The William Street boulevard is a broken dream. The eastern suburbs bus system is jammed. Narrowing William from six to four lanes means only one T2 lane each way.

DRAG a member group of Action City East will continue to push to:

• Reopen Bourke (north) to put the 311 Bus back on its route;
• Remove the traffic obstructions at Kings Cross Landbridge that are causing havoc (especially on Darlinghurst Road, Craigend Street and South Dowling St);
• Get the roundabout back at St Mary's Road.

We will study the public transport implications of the changes to ensure better bus access and mobility. We will continue working to ensure improved access for the people of Woolloomooloo. The details for the Premier’s re-openings should be finalized by early September.

The Main re-openings are:
i. Direct Harbour Bridge and tunnel access at Cahill Expressway intersection with Sir John Young Crescent;
ii. Bourke Street south re-opened (left in and left out only);
iii. Re-opening Druitt Street for general traffic heading west;
iv. Widening William Street from Palmer to William St off ramp;
v. Darlinghurst Road at Kings Cross landbridge – lane restored (presumably by removing the concrete obstacle in the middle);
Vi. Craigend Street: lane restored (by removing the shared bus/cycle lane to nowhere).

Road works and closures have a devastating impact on small local business. Action City East is pushing for a movement economy study is needed to help restore the city’s vibrant texture.

Contact:

Jo Holder on 93316621

Norman Thompson on 0419 296144

Photo caps: [Top] Minister for Roads, Eric Roozendaal opens Bourke Street south for ‘left in, left out’ traffic on Friday 7 July 2006.
[Middle] First barricade removed from Bourke
[Bottom] First car from Bourke (south) to William Steet

Photos Michael Gormly

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