The state government is finally delivering on a promise made almost three years ago to improve traffic congestion at Yeaman Bridge in Katoomba.
Former Blue Mountains Liberal MP Roza Sage promised in March 2015 to deliver a traffic congestion study, which would consider all options to get traffic moving, including the widening of Yeaman Bridge.
On December 29, Roads and Maritime Services provided $100,000 to Blue Mountains City Council to carry out traffic studies in Katoomba and also in Springwood at the problematic Macquarie Rd/Hawkesbury Rd/Great Western Highway intersection.
It follows a chaotic Christmas/New Year period with tourists flooding to Echo Point and Katoomba, with long traffic queues surrounding Yeaman Bridge.
Katoomba taxi driver Mick Glasheen said there were up to 70 cars at one point backed up from Yeaman Bridge, clogging surrounding streets and the highway.
He resorted to accessing Katoomba via Leura’s back roads, rather than using the Yeaman Bridge entry.
“It was taking 20 minutes to get back out of Echo Point into Katoomba,” he said.
“It’s pretty frustrating for locals who go up the street for a bottle of milk or something.
“It’s very frustrating. It needs to be addressed."
Sitting Blue Mountains Labor MP Trish Doyle shared residents’ concerns.
“Residents of the Upper Mountains, and Katoomba especially, have every right to be disappointed that the traffic problems remain unresolved at Yeaman Bridge.”
“A traffic study was promised by the former Member for Blue Mountains. After sustained pressure, they are now finally making good on that promise three years later,” Ms Doyle said.
“The traffic here is crippling the local road network and it will be having a negative impact on the visitor experience for day trippers and international tourists alike,” she said.
“Residents and businesses need the traffic study to be undertaken but most importantly there has to be some tangible action taken in response to the study to actually fix the problems.”
A council spokeswoman said the studies were to commence in early February.
“The request for quotations for these studies is currently in the market,” the spokeswoman said.
“These studies will build on the most recent traffic modelling undertaken at both locations and will provide an economic appraisal of the options and develop a preferred option.”
A spokeswoman for RMS said: “Roads and Maritime has been working with council to determine the scope of the studies which are expected to be completed in June this year.”
