Fixing congestion at the entrance to Glenbrook has been talked about for years, and this week with a flick of a switch, new traffic lights at the intersection of Ross Street and the highway were turned on.
Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres, and Senator for western Sydney, Marise Payne, were in Glenbrook on Friday to mark the $5.6 million upgrade.
“I’m very happy to see the lights on and traffic changes taking place,” Mr Ayres said.
“It’s a better access into Glenbrook and considerably safer. It has also improved pedestrian access.”
A footpath which runs along the nursery side of Glenbrook Oval now links up to the traffic lights at Ross Street and straight into the centre of town.
He asked motorists to be aware of the changed conditions, and said temporary signs on the approach to the new lights would be up for a few weeks advising of the changes.
Senator Payne said: “It’s a great example of the Commonwealth and state governments working together to deliver a solution. It addresses safety, traffic movements and community access.
“The intersection is a key gateway to the Blue Mountains, and the upgrades we have announced will help ensure that it is a safe and smooth-flowing route for locals and tourists alike.”
Work on closing off Hare Street, between Wascoe Street and the highway, is expected to be complete by October 10. A mountable kerb will be installed so emergency vehicles can still access the highway.
The upgrade has not been without controversy. It was not Blue Mountains City Council’s preferred design option.
While the council had supported the introduction of traffic lights at the intersection of Ross Street and the highway, it had opposed plans to close access to Glenbrook village centre from the previous intersection at Wascoe Street and Mann/Hare Street. It wanted to allow ‘left in’ and ‘left out’ movements at the Great Western Highway intersection with Hare Street.
The council had also claimed closing access from Hare Street would see traffic snarls in Glenbrook town centre.