Major Transport Overhaul Planned for Newcastle's Congested City Road Intersection
The New South Wales state government is developing significant traffic management changes for a crucial highway intersection in Newcastle, with proposals including peak-hour right-turn bans to address persistent congestion problems.
Targeting a Critical Transport Bottleneck
Transport for NSW has identified the intersection where City Road meets Alice and Hugh streets in Merewether as requiring urgent improvement following community concerns and detailed internal analysis. City Road serves as both a local thoroughfare and part of the Pacific Highway, functioning as the primary connection between Charlestown and Newcastle's central business district.
This vital transport corridor carries more than 25,000 vehicles daily, with up to seven percent of this traffic consisting of trucks and other heavy vehicles. During peak periods, the route experiences frequent congestion, particularly when motorists attempting right turns into Alice or Hugh streets wait for gaps in oncoming traffic, blocking lanes and creating substantial queues.
Proposed Traffic Management Solutions
Transport authorities are now seeking community feedback on a comprehensive proposal designed to alleviate congestion at this problematic intersection. The key measures under consideration include:
- Implementing a complete ban on right turns during weekday peak periods from 7am to 9am and 3.30pm to 6pm
- Widening Alice Street to provide two lanes approaching City Road
- Installing signalised pedestrian crossings on the southern and western sides of the intersection
- Creating a new footpath connection along the western side of Alice Street from City Road to Wilton Street
During restricted hours, motorists would need to utilize alternative routes such as the Scenic Drive and Glebe Road intersections to complete their journeys.
Preventing Displacement to Adjacent Intersections
To ensure traffic improvements at the targeted intersection don't simply shift congestion problems elsewhere, Transport for NSW has proposed complementary changes at nearby locations:
- Reducing movements at the William Street intersection to left-out only
- Limiting movements at the Allworth Street (south) intersection to left-in only
These measures aim to create a coordinated traffic management approach across the broader Merewether area.
Political Support and Community Consultation
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp acknowledged that congestion along the Merewether thoroughfare has been "an issue that's been affecting locals for some time." He encouraged residents to carefully examine the proposed upgrades before providing feedback, stating that community input is essential for improving the transport network.
NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison emphasized the importance of ensuring smooth traffic flow for Newcastle residents, noting that changes must reduce crash risks during peak periods while helping Novocastrians reach work, school, and local businesses safely. She expressed satisfaction that Transport for NSW has dedicated funding and resources to develop solutions for Merewether specifically and Newcastle generally.
Implementation Timeline and Next Steps
As part of the planning process, Transport for NSW will conduct detailed traffic monitoring along City Road between Scenic Drive and Alice Street from February 16 to 23. While construction timing remains unconfirmed, the department is actively seeking public feedback on the proposal through official consultation channels.
The proposed changes represent a significant intervention in Newcastle's transport network, aiming to address long-standing congestion issues that impact thousands of daily commuters and commercial vehicles traversing this critical arterial route.
