Smith Street cycleway works push forward

Works are progressing on the newest pop-up cycleways for the city, with Wollongong’s Smith Street beginning its transition to a one-way road and cycleway this week.

The works are part of Council’s focus to deliver improvements to cycling infrastructure, provide more active transport opportunities, and make it easier and appealing to opt for two-wheeled transport across our city.

With cycleway works complete to the west of Keira Street on Smith Street, our attention has moved east on Smith Street between Keira and Kembla streets.

From Wednesday morning, the area east of the traffic lights at the Keira and Smith Street intersection will undergo work to transition to a one-way street. We will be creating a separated cycleway on the southern side of Smith Street, east of Keira Street. Weather permitting, the works will take approximately two weeks.

While these changes are taking place, the southern side of the road will be closed to access, including parking. Traffic control will include barriers, signage, extra VMS boards indicating that there is ‘No Left Turn’ from Church to Smith Street and at the roundabout from Kembla to Smith Street.

“These works are outlined in Council’s Cycling Strategy 2030 and, when finished, will provide an east-west cycling link that will complement our existing cycleways and shared pathways as well as others planned,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

”We understand we’re asking drivers to change their habits when it comes to how they move about that part of the city. Those who don’t frequent Wollongong CBD often may be surprised by these changes.

“However, this work is essential in making our city more cycle-friendly for bike riders of all skills and levels of experience. We will have signage in place during the work to help mitigate any confusion as people find their way around.”

During the works, access will still be available for Smith Street in a one-way easterly direction. Works include the removal of existing line marking, provision of new line marking and traffic separators to create the new cycleway and southside parking arrangements.

For families of students at Wollongong Primary School, they will still be able to access the kiss and drop area on the southern side of Smith Street.

Residents in this area can still place bins out for collection as normal during the works. Waste trucks will have access to the kerbside for collection of bins both during and after construction.

Once works have completed on this portion of Smith Street, parking will be restored on the southern side of the road, adjacent to the newly installed cycleway and divided by line marking and traffic separators.

“These changes are providing an opportunity for our community to have a more liveable city and enhance the way we might cycle through Wollongong,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“These new cycleways are diversifying opportunities for transport through Wollongong, and are not only helping the environment, but providing people opportunities to live healthier lifestyles.”

Upon completion of this section of Smith Street between Keira and Kembla streets, work will begin on the remaining section between Kembla and Harbour streets. A full list of changes to Smith Street and our other pop-up cycling routes are available on our website.

These projects are proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Wollongong City Council.