E
FRE
November 20, 2012
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Issue 46
Preparatory work on West Gosford intersection upgrade underway W
ork has started in preparation for the upgrade of the Central Coast Highway at West Gosford.
“An upgrade of this scale requires detailed planning and a staged approach,” said Member for Gosford Mr Chris Holstein. “Before the road can be built, many of the utilities need to be relocated. "Brisbane Water Dr and Manns Rd are vital links between Gosford, Woy Woy and Narara providing access to railway stations, local businesses and retail centres, the Central Coast Highway and the F3 Freeway. "Access to all residential and commercial properties needs to be maintained along with traffic flow for the 70,000 vehicles which use the intersection each day. “Work has started on building a local access road linking Ferguson Close and Kulara Ave. "This will enable BelHilton Pde to be closed and a road between Dyer Crescent and Grieve Close to be built to provide local access during the project. “Storm water drainage improvements will be carried out in advance of major work,” Mr Holstein said. Other preliminary works will include demolition of buildings, clearing of the site and the relocation of utilities such as power. The project itself will
involve the widening and realigning of Brisbane Water Dr and Manns Rd between Kalura Ave in the south and Stockyard Place in the north as well as the widening of the Central Coast Highway between the lower end of Kariong Hill and just west of Yallambee Ave. The project is expected to improve safety, reduce congestion and delays, and improve accessibility for all road users. A system of shared pedestrian-cycle paths on both sides of the main roads will connect to existing paths. Bus stops will be in indented bays as close as possible to pedestrian crossings. The project is expected to accommodate traffic growth for more than 20 years. Following community input RMS selected a ground level cross intersection, including a link between Grieve Close and Jusfrute Dr, as the preferred option in 2010. RMS finalised an environmental assessment to proceed to detailed development and construction in December 2010. Through this further development work, RMS undertook detailed
An overview of the proposed intersection at West Gosford
investigations and design refinements. There will now be traffic lights at the Grieve CloseManns Rd intersection rather than a roundabout
to maximise safety for pedestrians and improve traffic efficiency. Preparatory work is not expected to impact traffic. RMS will be inviting
tenders early next year for the proposed upgrade project. Work is expected to start when preparation work is complete in mid 2013,
weather permitting. Media release, 12 Nov 2012 Chris Holstein, Member for Gosford