Wollongong City Council is starting work on the Keira Street Transit Mall tomorrow, Thursday, 21 October, to allow two-way traffic to access the current ‘bus only’ area between Burelli and Crown before Christmas.

Together with the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), Council crews will spend the next six weeks on-site, reprogramming traffic lights, repairing pavement on Keira Street, realigning the kerb at the corner of Keira and Crown Streets and carrying out improvements to the intersection of Burelli and Keira Street.

General Manager David Farmer said reopening the Transit Mall to general traffic is a major component of Council’s City Centre Access and Movement Strategy and is designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic flows.

“By reopening Keira Street to two-way traffic, we will improve access for motorists driving into Wollongong’s CBD, as well as allowing cars to move more freely when they arrive and access parking stations,” Mr Farmer said. 

“This is particularly important for visitors arriving in Wollongong from the north, who are currently sent west, away from the heart of the CBD. Opening of Keira Street will allow them to directly access the major parking stations in Kenny and Keira Streets.”

“This will help people wanting to get in and out of the CBD, but it will also help you move around the city centre more logically and get to where you want faster.”
 
“The first stage of work on opening Transit Mall will involve the removal of two trees and tree guards at the top of the Crown Street Mall to increase visibility and safety for cars using the intersection of Crown and Keira Streets,” David Farmer said.

“The trees will be replaced in more appropriate locations throughout Crown Street Mall when Council begins its refurbishment project next year.”