sydney-city-centre-review-of-environmental-factors

Table 2-1
Existing road conditions at key ‘pinch points’ in the city centre
Road
Traffic conditions
Precinct 1: north-west
Kent Street
between
Margaret Street
and King Street
King Street
between
Sussex Street
and Castlereagh
Street
Precinct 2: retail
Park Street at the
Pitt Street
Intersection
Market Street
between
Kent Street and
Castlereagh
Street
Kent Street is currently one-way northbound between Liverpool
Street and Erskine Street after which traffic is permitted in both
directions. This traffic arrangement, in combination with the
provision of a dedicated separated two-way cycleway adjacent to
the eastern kerb, results in the availability of only one northbound
lane north of Erskine Street. This arrangement results in extensive
queuing on the southern approach to Erskine Street particularly
during the afternoon peak. The development of the Barangaroo site
will increase northbound traffic on Kent Street.
King Street is a major corridor in the city centre with traffic
movements operating in a one-way easterly direction between
Sussex Street and Elizabeth Street. The lane configuration varies
with three trafficable lanes during peak periods between Sussex
Street and York Street, four lanes between York Street and George
Street, three lanes east of George Street and four lanes from just
west of Castlereagh Street through to Elizabeth Street. A dedicated
separated two-way cycleway has been constructed adjacent to
the northern kerb between Sussex Street and Clarence Street. The
Access Strategy indicates that the cycleway will ultimately be
extended to Castlereagh Street. The capacity of the corridor is
impacted by the existence of shared through and left/right turning
lanes.
Park Street is a major cross city corridor which connects between
William Street in the east and Druitt Street in the west. Although the
street functions as a two-way street, eastbound movements
between George Street and Pitt Street are restricted to buses, taxis,
hire cars and cyclists. Bus lanes are provided in both directions
between College Street and Pitt Street and eastbound between
George Street and Pitt Street. Under the Access Strategy, the
significance of Park Street as a major bus corridor will increase with
westbound traffic reduced to essentially a single lane between
College Street and George Street. Park Street currently carries
about 640 and 520 westbound movements in the morning and
evening peak periods respectively whilst right turn movements into
Pitt Street are in the order of 100 movements per hour during the
morning peak period and 40 during the evening peak period.
Market Street extends between Elizabeth Street and Sussex Street.
It operates as a one-way Street east of York Street and a two-way
street west of York Street. Westbound traffic experiences significant
congestion and delay during the afternoon peak period and quite
frequently during weekday business hours. Much of this delay
occurs east of York Street. The road is generally configured to
provide two through westbound lanes with additional lane capacity
for turning movements provided at Castlereagh Street, George
Street, York Street and Clarence Street. There is limited parking
permitted on the corridor. The eastbound section of road has a
public transport and local access function, facilitating bus services
and access to Clarence Street, Kent Street and the QVB car park.
Sydney City Centre Capacity Improvement 13
Review of Environmental Factors