Work on the Macquaire and Davey Street ‘Bus Improvements’ project gets underway this morning, with close to 100 parking spaces set to be removed to make way for new clear ways and bus lanes.
The Department of State Growth has announced that the first wave of changes to parking signs will be implemented today, affecting Gore Street, Ispahan Avenue, Warneford Street and Denison Lane.
Davey Street, in selected areas between Barrack Street and Antill Street, will also have new rules on display in the coming days.
Time limits for parking will vary depending on the street, but will include accessible and residential parking, as well as time-limited spots ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours.
State Growth then plans to introduce morning and afternoon clearway conditions on the odd-numbered side of Macquarie Street, from Gore Street to Molle Street, once the parking sign changes are complete.
“Work on the side streets will take place Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 6:00pm. Work on Macquaire Street and Davey Street will take place Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 3:00pm,” the Department says.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson has confirmed that the $1.85 million project will be completed by local company BlackCap Construction “by mid-year”.
“Other improvements to follow in Macquarie Street include building right turning lanes in Barrack Street and Murray Street and improved pedestrian crossings at Molle Street, Barrack Street and Harrington Street,” Ferguson said.
The project is bad news for commuters, according to Labor Leader Rebecca White, who earlier called for it to be scrapped.
“Mr Ferguson is still talking about building the pointless extra lane on the southern outlet as part of the Liberal’s plan to ease congestion, despite a government report demonstrating that it will provide little benefit for commuters in the long term, cause lots of frustrating travel delays in the short term, in addition to potentially dangerous consequences for emergency services,” White said late last week.
“Where is the underground bus mall that the Liberals promised for all the buses to use? It’s one of the many spectacular broken promises from this minority government along with the northern suburbs transit corridor which seems to be on the endangered list and the extra lane for the Midlands Highway.”
