Hills Shire Councillors have voted unanimously to give the gridlocked intersection at Norwest Boulevard, Elizabeth Macarthur Drive and Lexington Drive in Bella Vista a much-needed makeover.
The upgrade will include installing vehicle activated traffic lights which will operate in morning peak times to reduce traffic entering and exiting Norwest Business Park.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Yvonne Keane, said this was a win for residents, workers and visitors using Norwest Boulevard on their daily commutes.
“Traffic congestion at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Norwest Boulevard is the single biggest inhibitor to further expansion of employment opportunities for the world-class Norwest Business Park,” Mayor Keane said.
“The proposed vehicle activated traffic lights will significantly relieve traffic congestion in the peak AM times, especially between 8am and 9am.
“In fact, the installation of these much-needed traffic signals will reduce eastbound travel time by at least 50 per cent and increase the number of vehicles using this important stretch of road from 890 to 1145 per hour.
“Traffic congestion is a burden on everyone, so I'm delighted that our repeated representations have been heard and I would like to thank our NSW state member for Baulkham Hills, The Hon. David Elliot MP for his tenacity in helping us get an outcome.”
The short-term option will help to reduce traffic for the next five years while Council and the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) continue their investigations for a long-term solution.
“A long-term option involves full reconstruction of the intersection and replacement of the roundabout with traffic lights, as well as additional and dual right-hand turning lanes,” Mayor Keane said.
It is understood that the RMS will soon be seeking public comment on the proposal.
