Exhibit 4.8 below summarises the cumulative effect of the changes on access to the City North and Harbour crossings through Woolloomooloo. The changes reduced the alternative routes (counted as lanes of traffic) from six to one when the tunnel opened. As noted previously, closing the turn out of Cowper Wharf Roadway was the one closure that CCM requested. Following the community consultation processes, this was not allowed. This is now the one alternative to access these points conveniently without using the CCT.
Exhibit 4.8: Alternative routes to City North and Harbour crossings through Woolloomooloo | ||||
Right-hand turn lanes to the north and ability to access Harbour crossings | Pre-CCT | 2000 EIS | 2002 'Long 80' | 2005 Opening |
Cowper Wharf into Sir John Young Cr | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
William into Riley | 1 | 1 | 0a | 0a |
William into Crown b | 0 | 0 | 0a | 0a |
William into Palmer | 2 | 1 | 0a | 0a |
William into Bourke | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Notes a indicates right turns from William Street are available into these streets. However previously motorists could access the Harbour crossings from these streets. With the introduction of the Tunnel motorists cannot conveniently access the Harbour crossings from these streets. In essence, the only non-toll route access available is via Cowper Wharf Roadway. b the Crown Street turn was restricted in the Supplementary EIS and then removed under Condition of Approval 288 - see the Bourke Street case study in Exhibit 4.5 earlier in this chapter. | ||||
Source: analysis by the Audit Office | ||||