This intersection (near the Red Rooster) has long faced congestion during peak-hour traffic. Photo: Google Maps screenshot.
A plan to replace a congested roundabout with traffic lights as part of a revamp of a major Queanbeyan intersection has won fans.
Earlier this year, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) asked people to have their say on the proposed redesign of the Yass and Bungendore roads intersection in Queanbeyan.
The proposal included removing the existing roundabout, installing traffic signals, adding pedestrian crossings and creating additional lanes for motorists.
About 80 per cent of respondents supported the proposal (with 15.4 per cent of respondents objecting), a TfNSW consultation report states.
A range of short-term works were completed in 2024 to help ease traffic at the intersection while planning for the major overhaul continued.
That also follows the 4.6-kilometre realignment of Ellerton Drive, another major road project designed to reduce congestion in the area.
According to the report, more than 90 per cent of survey respondents described improving traffic flow as their first priority, with morning and afternoon peaks seeing “significant queuing” of vehicles.
Meanwhile, almost 60 per cent said they were ”very satisfied” with the plan to install traffic signs for traffic management.
“The primary reasons for this satisfaction included improved traffic flow during peak periods, reduced congestion, improved road safety and improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists,” the report found.
Some people objected to removing the roundabout, believing that part-time traffic lights or additional left-turn slip lanes (with the roundabout being kept) would be enough to improve vehicular flow.
“Concerns were raised about the impact traffic lights would have on traffic flow, especially during off-peak times when the roundabout was considered to work well.”
However, the report states that while modelling showed part-time traffic signals would ease peak-hour congestion in the short term, they weren’t seen as a viable long-term solution.
The plans also include proposals to install filtering right-hand turns and slips to help manage traffic congestion.
As part of the proposal, pedestrians and cyclists would lose access to the Ellerton Drive pedestrian underpass (it would remain open to manage flood incidents and stormwater).
“The current underpass has poor line of sight and ineffective lighting, which contributes to the community feeling unsafe when using the structure. … Planned upgrades will remove the underpass as a pedestrian and cyclist facility and provide alternative pathways and improved accessibility.”
The consultation report also states that it does not meet Australian standards in lighting and accessibility.
The report found the intersection is a key route for people travelling around south-east NSW, including into Canberra. Image: Transport for NSW.
Meanwhile, many respondents flagged the importance of improving infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
This extended to children walking to school, with a pedestrian refuge installed in 2024 seen as only helping to manage the issue.
“[We] heard that concerns around safety still exist as pedestrians are required to cross the busy road during peak periods without measures to slow or stop traffic,” the report says.
Of the survey respondents, 66.2 per cent supported upgraded footpaths and shared paths, while another 59.2 per cent approved of the Ellerton Drive extension being connected to new shared paths and cycle lanes.
Meanwhile, the consultation also sought feedback on a stretch of Yass Road, between Bungendore Road (in NSW) and the ACT border.
Suggestions from the respondents included widening Yass Road into two lanes in each direction between the ACT-NSW border and Canberra Airport, improving line marking and extending ACT cycle lanes.
“With regards to future planning for road safety improvements on Yass Road between Bungendore Road and the ACT border, we received considerable feedback detailing issues around access to side roads, local businesses and the nearby school, with calls to ensure these are appropriately considered in any future works.
“Feedback also raised safety concerns regarding right-turn movements out of local roads onto Yass Road, citing issues such as parked cars and landscaping blocking [motorists’] line of sight.”
A TfNSW spokesperson told Region that the design was currently being finalised.
“Once the design is finalised, the environmental assessment will be completed and will be displayed, at which time the community will again be invited to provide comment,” the spokesperson said.
“As the project is still in the planning phase, we are not yet able to confirm when construction will begin, nor the impacts or duration of the work.
“The impacts of construction on local residents and commuters will be considered carefully during the project’s future stages.”
The full consultation report is available on Transport for NSW’s website.
Original Article published by Claire Sams on About Regional.
