REVIEW OF OPERATIONS Transport Development 20 Alternative transport 28 Traffi c 31 Challenges and the way forward 35 Key achievements in 2009–10 The planning and construction of around 100 major projects with a total expenditure of more than $1.7 billion (excluding private sector expenditure), opening 17 of these projects to traffi c, and completing a further seven major stages of these projects. The handback to public ownership of the M4 Western Motorway on 16 February 2010. Completion of deployment of the new GPS based bus priority system to the entire State Transit Authority fl eet of over 2100 buses and modifi cation of over 790 traffi c signals to accept priority requests. Completion of a number of key corridor projects and corridor upgrades including: • 79km of four-lane divided highway opened on the Hume Highway. • 45km of four-lane divided highway opened on the Pacifi c Highway. • 12km widening of the F3 Freeway. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS Development Transport Project delivery Appendix 1 contains details of progress on all major works. RTA result: The road transport Motorways system supports reliable and effi cient movement of people and goods M2 Motorway upgrade The RTA received a proposal to enhance and widen the M2 Hills Motorway (M2) from Transurban which holds the concession for the motorway. The proposal includes widening sections of the motorway from two to three lanes and construction of new west-facing ramps at Windsor Road and east-facing ramps near Herring Road, Macquarie Park. The M2 is one of Sydney’s busiest road corridors, providing an important link in the Sydney Orbital between the Westlink M7 Motorway (M7) and the Lane Cove Tunnel and carrying around The NSW road transport system 100,000 vehicle trips and more than 17,000 bus passengers a day. The transport system is crucial to the economic Upgrading the M2 would improve safety, relieve congestion and prosperity and well-being of the NSW community. prepare for additional growth, with 140,000 new homes and The RTA’s role is to maintain, develop and operate 100,000 new jobs planned for Sydney’s north-west during the the major road network to meet the needs of a next 25 years. growing population. This includes the day-to-day The RTA signed an in-principle agreement transport requirements of individuals and the growing with M2 Hills Motorway in October 2009 to freight task. In this role, the RTA manages a major develop the detailed design and environmental program of new road and bridge works, from the assessment (EA) for the upgrade. The EA was inner suburbs of Sydney to the far corners of NSW. displayed for community comment during May and June 2010, The RTA also promotes alternatives to motor vehicle and subject to planning approval, construction could travel – such as public transport, cycling and walking commence before the end of 2010. Construction is expected – through the provision of infrastructure and a range to take two years to complete. of innovative programs to encourage sustainable methods of transport. A key RTA role is the management of traffi c on the road system. The RTA leads the world in technology to promote the effi cient movement of traffi c. The RTA also takes the lead in managing traffi c during major planned events and unplanned incidents. This chapter outlines the RTA’s management of the road transport system over the past year. It is divided into four main sections: Development – major projects and developments on motorways and other roads. This artist’s impression shows the proposed west-facing ramps at Alternative transport – buses, bicycles Windsor Road, part of the M2 Motorway upgrade. and pedestrians. Traffi c – speed and traffi c fl ow. Challenges and the way forward. Chapter cover image: A prefabricated steel bridge is lifted into position as part of a bridge duplication at Lawson, October 2009. Photo taken by RTA staff member Dominic Callaghan. M4 Motorway handover M5 Motorway widening Australia’s fi rst Public Private Partnership, the M4 Western The RTA received a proposal from Interlink Roads, Motorway (M4), was successfully transferred from Statewide concession holder of the M5 Motorway, to widen sections Roads Ltd and returned to public ownership on 16 February of the motorway to three lanes in both directions between 2010. The most noticeable outcome of this handover was the Camden Valley Way and King Georges Road. removal of the toll for the M4. High traffi c volumes on the M5, especially during peak periods, To maintain traffi c fl ow, a number of infrastructure are a source of delay and frustration for motorists. Widening enhancement projects were undertaken to assist traffi c the M5 from four to six lanes would improve the level of management. Improvements included: service and help cater for future growth in south-west Sydney. • Removal of the eastbound 24 hour T2 transit lane. The RTA signed an initial agreement with Interlink Roads in • Upgrading M4 interchanges at James Ruse Drive and December 2009 to develop the proposal. The RTA is currently Homebush Bay Drive. preparing environmental assessment documents and exhibition of the environmental assessment is expected in late 2010. Subject • Installing fi ve variable message signs and traffi c to planning approval and a contract being agreed for the delivery management devices. phase of the work, construction could commence in 2011. • Removal of the toll plaza area, which began on 16 February, after the toll charge was removed. M5 transport corridor study These were all completed on schedule. The RTA now maintains and M5 East expansion and operates the M4 on behalf of the people of NSW. The Australian and NSW governments have M5 East fi ltration trial committed $15 million for a feasibility study into potential improvements to the M5 transport corridor between In April 2008, construction began on a $65 million trial fi ltration Port Botany/Sydney Airport and south-west Sydney. plant to remove particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide The study has examined a preferred transport strategy which from air extracted from the western end of the M5 South outlines improvements to public transport services and West Motorway (M5) East westbound tunnel. The plant was capacity enhancement options for the M5 East Motorway. The commissioned and began operating in early 2010. initial preferred option was released for public consultation in The plant is capable of continuously drawing 200m3 of air per November 2009. second from the westbound tunnel and removing particulate The initial submissions period for community feedback on matter from this air. Some 50m3 per second of this is then a proposed expansion of the M5 transport corridor closed further treated to remove nitrogen dioxide before all of the on 12 March 2010. Consideration of the submissions and treated air is returned to the tunnel. reporting of the fi ndings is in progress. Preparations for the The operational trial of the plant commenced in March next phase of consultation, including a review of options for 2010 and is planned to take up to 18 months. The RTA will eastern access, are also in progress. assess the effi ciency of the fi ltration systems and the plant’s effectiveness in reducing visible haze in the westbound tunnel. Pacifi c Highway Upgrading Program The Pacifi c Highway not only links Sydney and Brisbane, but also passes through regions that continue to experience NSW’s highest rates of population growth. This growth has increased pressure on the road transport system. In response, the RTA has overseen improvements in road infrastructure to allow safe and effi cient transport along the route. The Pacifi c Highway is part of the National Land Transport Network. The Australian and NSW governments have been Motorway Projects Branch representatives visit the M5 East fi ltration jointly upgrading the Pacifi c Highway since 1996. site in March 2010. The Pacifi c Highway upgrade is being delivered in three stages: • Stage 1: Hexham to Port Macquarie, Raleigh to Woolgoolga and Ballina to the Queensland border. • Stage 2: Port Macquarie to Raleigh. • Stage 3: Woolgoolga to Ballina. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS TRANSPORT 21 Together, the State and Australian governments have committed $3.6 billion to continue the upgrade of the highway over fi ve years to mid 2014 to complete Stage 1 and start Stage 2. By June 2010, 322km of the highway’s 667km length were double-lane divided road. Since 1995, travel time savings of about 80 minutes and 70 minutes for heavy and light vehicles respectively have been achieved. A further 79km of highway are under construction, 20km under preconstruction, 115km under environmental impact assessment, and all other sections have the preferred route identifi ed, with concept designs fi nalised for most of these. The number of fatal crashes has fallen from 32 in 1996 to 19 in 2009, despite a 50 per cent increase in traffi c on much of the highway. Karuah to Bulahdelah Aerial view of the Pacifi c Highway (Coopernook to Herons Creek) sections 2 and 3 showing Johns River Bypass, looking north. Construction on this $253 million project began in March 2007, to provide 23km of dual carriageway, generally Kempsey Bypass following the existing highway alignment. The project included In its 2009–10 Budget, the Australian Government seven pairs of new bridges and rest areas on the northbound announced accelerated funding of $618 million carriageway at Nerong Waterholes and the southbound to fast-track the Kempsey Bypass. The 14.5km carriageway at Browns Flat. The upgrade was completed in bypass is a vital section of the Pacifi c Highway upgrade which October 2009. will help to improve road safety and freight transport effi ciency. Bulahdelah Bypass The early works and main roadworks for the bypass will be delivered by an alliance and the Macleay River fl oodplain bridge Early work and detailed design began following works will be delivered by a design and construct contract.