MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

Dear Sir/Madam

I have lived in the Inner West for 25 years and I regularly travel through Annandale to Balmain or to Glebe, using the intersection at Johnston St and the Crescent.
I am writing to object to the proposed overpass at the Crescent. My concerns are:

- This overpass is an excessive construction in one of Sydney's most character-filled old neighbourhoods. It will undermine the heritage values of the neighbourhood and block views.
- The excessive extra multilaned road will become a barrier for locals and others to visit the park and foreshore beyond the Crescent, reducing its recreational value to the neighbourhood.
- This overpass will only encourage more traffic by appearing to offer faster access to the city. As is the case with all such excessive construction of road intrastructure in high and medium density inner urban neighbourhoods, the extra cars it encourages will just bank up at both peak hour and busy times, with very little long term benefit to drivers, but with considerable negative impact for residents and other local users of the area.
- The extra traffic sitting in queues will generate yet more pollution, with the usual deleterious effects on people living in the area. We can anticipate increases in respiratory issues, cancer etc. As always, it will be impossible to attribute any health impacts to the overpass directly, and therefore I imagine neither you nor the developers have any interest in addressing this issue.
- The new overpass construction will make a right hand turn from Johnston St into the Crescent unappealing and will encourage drivers to rat run through nearby streets. I will probably be obliged to do this myself.

What Sydney really needs is more investment in efficient public transport. What it doesn't need is yet more elaborate road infrastructure like this overpass that clogs up neighbourhoods, separates people from each other and from green spaces, and doesn't provide any long term relief for traffic anyway. As you well know.

Yours sincerely
Elizabeth Weiss

Dear Director Transport Assessments Planning Services,

I write regarding the proposed modification to M4-M5 Link, Mod 2 The Crescent overpass and
changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Rozelle and Rozelle Bay Foreshore area.
I request RMS work with the community to explore alternate design options to the proposed new car
overpass design and the changed pedestrian and cyclist links. I am seeking the reinstatement of the
safe, direct access from the approved EIS GreenLink to create a continuous green open space
connection from the Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. The GreenLink was more
than just a walk way - it put people central to the design, maximising safety, and providing much
needed accessible open space for the community now and into the future Bays Precinct design.
I am requesting RMS put people back into the plan – I want you to reinstate your own vision as
laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056. Work with the community to design a feasible
option that brings the best elements from the approved EIS design into the modification.
My key concerns with the M4-M5 Modification are:
● The significantly reduced safety and increased risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed
access over The Crescent to Bicentennial Park and the increased traffic along Johnson
Street.
● Being required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent as my option to reach
the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle light rail stop.
● Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, cutting the community off from the area and
the proposed revitalisation of the entire Bays Precinct, including linking the Light Rail and
Bus stops to a Ferry wharf and Metro station.
● Urban and landscape design that is being built before a finalised Masterplan for the area.
● Traffic changes that limit movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the
local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle with no planning to
deal with these.
Alongside these issues my other concerns include:
- Significant health imapcts on the community with reduced accessibility to active transport links and an increase in air pollution

My submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to:
● Reinstate the GreenLink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to
Bicentennial Park.
● Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections that are continuous, safe and direct.
● Design the modification infrastructure and active links in response to the character of the
suburbs, the location of the foreshore and it’s potential future development.
● Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force us onto
busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways.
● Integrate active and direct connections to all active transport – including the future Metro
West and Foreshore Ferry Wharf.
Furthermore I suggest: Greater consultation with bike user groups and pedestrians in the local community, especially those with reduced mobility and car-free households, to understand the impact of the proposed project on their lives.

Yours Sincerely,

Georgina Mulcahy
16 Lavender St LAVENDER BAY NSW 2060
[email protected]

Please refer to attached letter. I request that the originally approved GreenLink is reinstated and that pedestrian and cycle traffic is properly taken into account in this project and that full consultation with the local Annandale/Rozelle Bay community is undertaken.

The proposal promised that there would be unobtrusive traffic flow along the Crescent and through the CityWest link. I object strongly to the proposal of an imposing overpass located on the Crescent. I would like to see an underpass built instead so that Annandale does not have an ugly overpass between it and the bay. Thank you.

I oppose MOD 2 of the M4-M5 Link because it involves an overpass at The Crescent.
I live in Rockdale, so the direct personal impact on me of the planned overpass at The Crescent near the Rozelle interchange is minimal. Nevertheless, I am interested in good roads policy. I believe that both good and bad precedents that happen in one part of Sydney can influence what happens in other parts of Sydney.
I believe it is good policy to send arterial roads and traffic underground and create serenity on the surface. Despite my reservations about induced demand, I was a little excited about the ambitious underground exchange in Rozelle. So I felt let down when I found out that a modification to the project was proposed which includes an overpass and which reduces the green links.
I read the documentation. I understand the motivation which is to eliminate traffic lights. I read of the difficulties of having an underpass at The Crescent (option 2). Option 2 would have been more in keeping with the original concept of an underground interchange. There is no indication in the documentation of how much more expensive option 2 would have been compared with the proposed option. There is also no substantiation of the claim that tunnelling would be likely to lead to contaminated soils being encountered. Thus the deviation from the original concept is not adequately justified.
I am also not satisfied that all options have been properly considered. Perhaps a shorter and presumably less expensive underpass with steeper grades, tighter curve and lower speed limit would have been feasible. Even an overpass could have been put underground by enclosing the whole intersection in an artificial hill.
I know that the project was not fully designed before it was approved. I understand that details are subject to change. But any changes should be true to the original concept and the proposed overpass is not.
For the sake of good roads design, and for the sake of the community being able to have faith in the planning processes, MOD 2 should not proceed.

Regarding application number SSI 7485, I strongly object to the proposed overpass at The Crescent in Annandale for the following reasons:
1. The alternative tunnel submission is vastly preferable. The damage to the environment will be much less and aesthetically it will not impede views of the park, water, and the CBD.
2 . Pedestrian access to Bicentennial Park and Jubilee Park at Johnston Street needs to kept as is to one single crossing. This makes it safer and easier to access. The current proposal has four pedestrian crossings which means it's both more dangerous and harder for families and kids to access the park.
3. An underground tunnel will allow the green link connecting the Glebe foreshore and Bicentennial Park to the new Rozelle parklands to stay intact. The original Green Link shown be maintained and not altered to necessitate a crossing of The Crescent with a proposed bridge.
4. Keeping the tunnel will allow the current right turn at The Crescent to be maintained. The Proposed overpass option will eliminate this turn causing a huge increase in traffic through Annandale increasing emissions, noise and danger to the residents.
5. The proposed overpass will make the "people's mural" next to the Johnston Street entrance no longer viable. This is a treasured community asset that will be made nearly useless due to the overpass.

See attached documents

This will significantly reduce safety and increase the risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over The Crescent to Bicentennial and the increased traffic along Johnston Street. The number of lights I would need to cross (5) is significant and I feel unreasonable. This proposed removes direct active links to the foreshore and I think this will have a big impact on the community. I completely object to this and can’t believe the proposal given what was promised.

Re: Application Number SSI 7485 I strongly object to the proposed above ground road overpass at The Crescent in Annandale for the following reasons.
1. I support to change the overpass to that of a short tunnel under the City West Link. An underpass will provide the best visual and urban outcome and will not impede views of the foreshore parklands and the CBD.
2. The underpass needs to be designed to retain the single pedestrian crossing at Johnston Street which is safe and easy to access.
3. An underground tunnel will allow the Green Link connecting the Glebe foreshore and Bicentennial Park to the new Rozelle Parklands to stay intact. Therefore the original Green Link (depicted) be maintained and not altered to necessitate a crossing at The Crescent with a proposed bridge.
4. Retaining a tunnel will still allow the current right turn at The Crescent to be maintained. The proposed overpass option will eliminate this turn causing a huge increase in traffic through Annandale. In turn, this will increase emissions , noise and danger to the residents.
5. The proposed overpass will make the people's mural next to Johnston St entrance no longer viable. This is a treasured community asset that will be rendered useless due to the overpass.
6. I support the retention and protection of the vegetation including Sydney blue gums and Moreton Bay fig trees. These will provide pedestrian and visual amenity given that the most part of Buruwan Park will be destroyed.

I am a resident of Annandale and have followed the progress of Westconnex and for the most part am in agreement with the necessity for such a roadway for Sydney. I am however very much against the proposed modifications in MOD2.
Firstly the relocation of the green link to the west which will no longer directly connect the former Rozelle Goods Yard with the foreshore at Glebe
Secondly, the removal of the single safe and direct pedestrian and cycling access from the former Rozelle Goods Yard at Lilyfield to the Glebe foreshore and Annandale via a vegetated ‘green link’ over the City West.
Thirdly, and together with the above, the removal of the Shared user pathways considerate and connected into the Bays Precinct Master Plan.
It is my belief that if these 3 items are changed and replaced with an ugly car overpass it will have a hugely damaging affect on the final workability, connectivity and overall ambiance of very necessary and environmentally enjoyable ‘green space’.
On behalf of my fellow residents in both Rozelle and Annandale, who will be living with your decisions, I ask that you please reconsider these changes and keep the original people-oriented plans in place.

The City West Link is already under significant stress which will increase with the approved addition of signalised access ramps to the new M4_M5 link. An additional future signalised intersection providing connection between a future Western Harbour Tunnel and the Inner West make matters worse and will likely severely affect through capacity of City West Link notwithstanding the volume reductions at surface which should flow from the completion of the full underground WestConnex. Any change in configuration, such as the proposed Crescent Overpass, that reduces that stress will likely make the Rozelle Interchange (RZI) operate more efficiently than it would otherwise. That is a good thing.
But while there are upsides there are also downsides.
On the upside consider the distribution of traffic to/from WestConnex into the urban network in the 'upper west side' zone: north of St Peters Interchange (SPI) and west of the Botany Rd axis. Traffic with that origin/destination must use RZI or SPI and their feeder roads as there is no other access ramp form WestConnex for that 6 km stretch. That architectural shortcoming will concentrate traffic seeking the upper west side into the RZI/SPI feeder roads. Those interchanges must operate extremely efficiently for the true benefits of WestConnex to be realised.
In response to that stress there is merit, as MOD-2 proposes, in taking a stream of traffic from The Crescent over the City West link in an unsignalised stream allowing better access between Annandale and both Iron Cove Link/Anzac Bridge and also Victoria Rd accessing Rozelle/Balmain.
The downsides come from the poorer urban outcomes.
In the original approved scheme, the land bridge is an essential element which re-combines the communities of Lilyfield/Rozelle north of the RZI to the Lilyfield/Annandale areas to the south of RZI. As approved it is a wide and generous swathe which comes to ground on the water side of The Crescent yielding, without further interaction with traffic, an easy access to the walk around Rozelle and Backwattle Bays, to the Tramsheds and to Glebe. Access to Rozelle Bay Light Rail is a special purpose off-shoot which would attract a small proportion of the foot/cycle traffic.
In the proposed change under this MOD-2, that generously proportioned land bridge is narrowed and comes to ground in the strip of land between the Light Rail line and The Crescent, the latter separating the foot/cycle traffic from the water and those related destinations. Further signalised road crossings will be required which will tend to reduce the traffic efficiencies MOD-2 seeks to improve. It is a much poorer urban outcome that takes the majority of the users on a circuitous path well away from the desire line.
A better solution could be achieved by re-configuring the land bridge such that it starts as approved at the west end between the ventilation outlets, then adopts a horizontal and vertical alignment that rises above the proposed Crescent Overpass, with a short stub access to Light Rail, but crosses back over The Crescent and then comes to ground adjacent to the water in the general area as currently approved. It may need to extend further west to allow for appropriate grades.
Capital costs will no doubt change to provide the grade separated Crescent Overpass which should yield the mooted additional traffic benefits and that may well work out as having a BCR>1 in a business case analysis. However, for MOD-2 as proposed, that analysis should take into account the dis-benefits that will arise from the distinctly sub-optimal outcome for the foot/cycle traffic and for the vehicular traffic as the streams clash at the necessary signalised crossings. MOD-2 if varied as described above will yield significantly better traffic outcomes for all three streams being vehicular/foot/cycle and those benefits, properly calculated, may well drive a competitive BCR.
The urban outcome of WestConnex is one of its great selling points. The battles fought in New York over urban v traffic outcomes should continue to serve as a warning: neither should hold sway, both deserve balanced consideration to yield an economically productive city that is a pleasure to live in. In Sydney the land bridge over the Cahill Expressway/Eastern Distributor to the north of the Art Gallery is the local constant reminder that an urban space of inestimable and enduring value must be built with the original infrastructure or the opportunity is lost forever.

I OBJECT to the proposed overpass. It was originally said to be an underground exchange at ROZELLE.

The Wetconnex is an important project and I am supportive of the project as a whole, however I object to the proposed modification that creates difficulties for pedestrians and bike riders accessing the foreshore.
Ease of access for the community to the park and foreshore should be a priority in design.

This project requires better provision for safe, direct and easy walking and cycling. Any transport projects should improve active travel and open space planning and connections as per NSW government policy , not impact badly and/or disconnect. Policies supportive of active travel include Greater Sydney Commission, Future Transport, GA's Movement & Place framework, Sydney Green Grid, Premier's Priorities Active Living NSW, Sydney's Walking Future, City Centre Access Strategy, Bays Precinct Urban Transformation Plan, Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy. Better separated active travel links to the Glebe foreshore and Anzac Bridge / Victoria Rd is needed to support popularity and amount of users, and future population growth and mode shifts. Better intersection design is needed to avoid adding more signals affecting pedestrian travel time, including vulnerable pedestrians. Better direct connections to public transport hubs is needed - eg. light rail.

I object to the modifications (MOD 2) re the Crescent overpass and active transport links.

I object to the route of the pedestrian/cycling greenlink land bridge crossing over city west link from the railcards area. I request that the greenlink land bridge directly connects the railcards area to the waterfront foreshore park and that it is wide enough for separate cycle and walk ways for both cyclists and pedestrians to enjoy the amenity fully. I request that the land bridge has viewing places to stop and take in the view across the bays. I request that the area at the end of the land bridge has naturally shaded / cool areas, as opposed to the proposed plan which shows minimal planting.

I object to the overpass. I petition that the over pass is altered to be an under pass. I realise this will increase the cost of this part of the project significantly, but it seizes the rare opportunity to create an uninterrupted inner city green open space running all the way from Rozelle along the bay to the fish markets.

James Brigden <[email protected]>

Fri, Sep 20, 10:06 AM (3 days ago)



to info, Dianne






we were very pleased when the development was proposed putting all the traffic underground and creating the green link
looked the perfect solution.
no noise, exhaust and tyre brake lining pollution
removing traffic from back streets
improving access for people from the western suburbs and in fact all areas concerned.
then we received notice of the flyover work to be put in place of the green link
we are very disappointed with this development
like the city west link that had all the sets of lights - a half baked solution
please think this out more carefully
if we have to put up with all the local work do the complete job and not something that wont be a perfec solution
please get back to me and tell me you have reconsidered
James & Dianne Brigden
77 Denison St
Rozelle
0427771718

1. I support to change the overpass to that of a short tunnel under the City West Link. An underpass will provide the best visual and urban outcome and will not impede views of the foreshore parklands and the CBD.
2. The underpass needs to be designed to retain the single pedestrian crossing at Johnston Street which is safe and easy to access. Safe access from the Light rail station to vital
3. An underground tunnel will allow the Green Link connecting the Glebe foreshore and Bicentennial Park to the new Rozelle Parklands to stay intact. Therefore the original Green Link be maintained and not altered to necessitate a crossing at The Crescent with a proposed bridge.
4. Retaining a tunnel will still allow the current right turn at The Crescent to be maintained. The proposed overpass option will eliminate this turn causing a huge increase in traffic through Annandale. In turn, this will increase emissions, noise and danger to the residents.
5. The proposed overpass will make the people's mural next to Johnston St entrance no longer viable. This is a treasured community asset that will be rendered useless due to the overpass.
6. I support the retention and protection of the vegetation including Sydney blue gums and Moreton Bay fig trees. These will provide pedestrian and visual amenity given that the most part of Buruwan Park will be destroyed. These are an important habitat trees and increase visual amenity.
7. As a non car owner safe access to Glebe foreshore is vital.

1. I support to change the overpass to that of a short tunnel under the City West Link. An underpass will provide the best visual and urban outcome and will not impede views of the foreshore parklands and the CBD.
2. The underpass needs to be designed to retain the single pedestrian crossing at Johnston Street which is safe and easy to access.
3. An underground tunnel will allow the Green Link connecting the Glebe foreshore and Bicentennial Park to the new Rozelle Parklands to stay intact. Therefore the original Green Link be maintained and not altered to necessitate a crossing at The Crescent with a proposed bridge.
4. Retaining a tunnel will still allow the current right turn at The Crescent to be maintained. The proposed overpass option will eliminate this turn causing a huge increase in traffic through Annandale. In turn, this will increase emissions, noise and danger to the residents.
5. The proposed overpass will make the people's mural next to Johnston St entrance no longer viable. This is a treasured community asset that will be rendered useless due to the overpass.
6. IWEG support the retention and protection of the vegetation including Sydney blue gums and Moreton Bay fig trees. These will provide pedestrian and visual amenity given that the most part of Buruwan Park will be destroyed. They provide vital habit for small birds, insects and small animals. the community has worked on bush regeneration projects here for many years and it is heart breaking to see these destroyed.