MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

Without the overpass modification, the Citywest link has had visual separation from the suburb of Annandale. Not any more with this amendment.
The amendments to the modification do not go far enough to counter my and the widespread community's objection to the overpass. Directly adjacent to the elevated Kentville Estate is the worst place to situate a raised road. Elevating this road, even with the decrease in height, will create inappropriate and unbearable noise and light pollution for residents in the vicinity, with a detrimental impact on the historic conservation area.

Dear Officer,
I am totally opposed to this project because:
1 - The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

2 - An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

3 - There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

4 - The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value. I, personally, participated painting the mural and I am witness how it benefited our community when it happened and in the long run.

4 - Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.
It is appalling that the government just ignores the community's objections and tend to establish community consultations just a a 'breathing-space', so it can continues its environment destruction using the excuse "yes, but we consulted". NO TO OVERPASS!!!
Yours sincerely and with disgust at the government insistence in continuing with the offensive project,
Afonso Portugal

The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area. The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard. This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

The people’s mural will be obscured. The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.

The needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents. All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrians and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

Annandale doesn’t need an overpass. I am strongly in agreement with the objections raised below:
It would be a horrendous blight on a sensitive foreshore area which has already suffered from overdevelopment of road infrastructure and shipping facilities. This overpass would extend the ghastliness to an area as yet relatively spared, near parkland and with a huge population of residents living nearby (eg. the Tramsheds). It's already a very pedestrian-unfriendly area. I'm writing on behalf of my community, not just as an individual. begging you to reconsider.
It would become extremely pedestrian-unfriendly to those to access that area by crossing the road - including children, the elderly and cyclists.
The massive overpass being proposed is still a totally unnecessary imposition on our local area that prioritises cars and traffic over cyclists, pedestrians and resident amenity.
• The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.
• An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.
• There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.
• The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.
• Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

I object to the proposal in principle as there does not appear to be any significant benefit accruing, especially to the local community, from the vast expenditure involved in the proposal.
There are further particular concerns:
1. The overpass will have one lane only for traffic from the Crescent going to the Anzac Bridge and Victoria Road. Having used this route most days for about 20 years I know that the bulk of traffic turns right at the end of the Crescent. While the elimination of the traffic lights will ease traffic flow, squeezing two lanes into one will create traffic jams, particularly during peak times.
2. The overpass will create unnecessary visual impact, including blocking the mural. An underpass (of two lanes) would seem a far more sensible and far less intrusive alternative.
3. The start of the overpass just after the corner from Johnston Street will inevitably cause on-going problems as drivers will have no visual clues until the very last moment, having just turned the corner. Especially during times of heavy traffic conditions there will bound to be drivers finding themselves in the right hand lane at the end of Johnston Street, attempting to force themselves into the left hand lane.
4. While it is good that the convoluted set of crossings from Johnston Street to the foreshore has been dropped, the plans still do not provide a direct route from Johnston Street to the foreshore for the very large numbers of cyclists and pedestrian who make the crossing every day.
In short, there remain serious problems with the plans, which prioritise through-traffic over the interests and amenities of those of us who live here.
John Martin

The people of Annandale do not need this overpass.

• The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.
• An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.
• There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.
• The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.
• Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

There is no evidence that the overpass has been designed with a view to decrease congestion in Annandale - especially in light of the extra traffic that the M4-M5 link will bring. Pedestrians and cyclists will be negatively impacted by this overpass. The original proposal promised a seamless park to park connection between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Good yard - pedestrians and cyclists will be forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights (which will also hold up traffic).
The overpass would be a blight to the foreshore with a negative impact similar to the Cahill Expressway (and would also obscure the heritage mural on The Crescent).
Much of this could be remedied by making the overpass a tunnel - which would serve to protect the foreshore and allow cyclists and pedestrians to access the foreshore parks without having to cross a busy road. As was promised in the original proposal.

Hi the current proposal is not a solution that benefits local residents and actually reduces the amenity of the area, it removes or significantly denies pedestrian access and cycle access and increases the hazard for both these user groups. It simply should be put underground.

I am opposed to the proposal in its current form.

Nearly 3,000 Annandale families access the parks bounded by the crescent and Johnston Street. My complaint with the continual push for an overpass is that it favours cars above the benefits of access to the existing parks. It funnels more cars along Johnston street and onto the crescent adding pollution, noise and congestion.

The proposed access favours only additional traffic in already congested Johnston street. Traffic currently banks up to Rose street virtually every day at Peak hour and often on the weekend.

As a resident, cyclist, driver and pedestrian I feel you are only adding to the problem and encouraging extra traffic into Johnston street and the Crescent whilst not providing easier access to existing parks.

A tunnel/underpass design that would remove noise and unsightly overpasses that adds more ugliness with ramps that could easily be replaced by tunnels. Further I note that that the community mural on Johnston street will be obscured. This is unacceptable.

Poor planning has already resulted in MOD 2 being highly criticised likewise you haven't addressed park s, pedestrians, cyclists or traffic calming in this latest proposal.

The proposed overpass breaks the government’s promise that everything about the Westconnex junction will be underground. It will be unsightly, prioritise cars over people, and divide the local area where green space from Rozelle across Rozelle Bay was promised.

The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.
Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

As in my prior submission, I am concerned about the fact that this overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It has the potential to negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

I am further concerned that the new proposal hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

I understand that the idea of an underpass has been proposed. Are there any technical impediments to this solution? I believe there is an alternative for a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass would provide the best visual and urban outcomes and would allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

Kind regards,

Claudio

I applaud the decision to retain the Johnston Street / Crescent crossing and the right hand turn from Johnston St into The Crescent. But the loss of the Horseshoe Bridge pedestrian and cycle path is unacceptable and the decision to remove it should be reversed. Transport for NSW claims to give great weight to connecting people and the loss of the Horseshoe Bridge path flies in the face of that. We need more connectivity not less. I also note that the visual impact concerns relate to the road overpass which has not been removed.

The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.
Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.
Carmel Hahn





The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.
Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.
Remember – you don’t have to be an expert to make a submission! The more detail you include about how this proposal will impact you, your family and your neighbourhood the better.

I am absolutely committed to protecting the liveability of our city by expanding public, open green space and investing in public transport solutions that work.

If you would like more details on this proposal, please feel free to contact me either by email [email protected] or call 02 9660 7586.

Yours sincerely,


Jamie Parker MP
Member for Balmain

P.S. Please feel free to share this email with any neighbours or friends who might also be interested in making a submission.

The project as currently proposed is unsightly and does not align with the original stated aim of Westconnex’s impact on Annandale and Rozelle – we were promised an uninterrupted open green space with easy access from the streets to the foreshore and new park. Further the design has negative impacts for pedestrians and cyclist – and this coming at a time when decision makers should be acutely aware of the need for ample space for both. Please listen to the local community – they’re not a bunch of whingers but are people who understand how to create a better outcome. This can be a win-win.
Let’s ensure the outcome creates the most livability for residents now and ensures maximum options for connectivity and green space in the future.

Thanks for the amendments, but as a cyclist we want you to reinstate a well designed horseshoe bridge to meet the original commitment to have a seamless park to park connection

The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.
Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

As an Annandale resident for 50 years, at the same address, I strenuously protest at the monstrous overpass which destroys the low scale heritage atmosphere of the northern end of Annandale. We have spent years enhancing and protecting this unique suburb, only to be faced with a concrete monster completely out of keeping with a potentially beautiful piece of Sydney Harbour foreshore.

The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.
Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

I am a resident of Annandale and continue to object to the building of an overpass on the edge of the village of Annandale. While some of the concerns from my last submission have been addressed (although not adequately) the recent proposed modification has completely ignored the main issue which is the overpass itself. There is no point removing a cycle bridge to 'reduce visual impact' when you are continuing to build a smaller version of the 'Cahill Expressway' through the area! The main issues we all have are with the overpass itself - it is the main bone of contention and will cause the most destruction in our area and negative visual impact in the area. We want you to find an alternative solution to the overpass, i.e. NO OVERPASS. Once it is built (and you seem hell bent on building it despite all of our objections) it will destroy the area forever. There has not been any attempt to put forward a plan without the overpass. That's what we need to see. A proposed modification with no overpass for our consideration. How many times and ways do we need to ask for the project team to use the educated and experienced design and engineering resources you have on board to come up with a no overpass plan?

The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale. This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians. In fact it will increase traffic in Annandale as people use Johnson Street as a link road to get to the freeway and WHT.

An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area and is by far the desired option. The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard. This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised in the EIS. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights. The corner of Johnston Street and the Crescent is already crowded daily and will be considerably worse as more cycle and pedestrian traffic is pumped through here. Cars race around this corner even today and quite often cut the corner short, almost running people down on the footpath. I witnessed a near miss accident this very week of a child on a bicycle who fell into the road off the sloped edge at the traffic lights, while the corner was crowded, into the path of a car travelling fast around the corner of Johnston Street and the Crescent. A passer by saved her life as her parent could not reach her whilst wrangling another small child on a separate bicycle and trying to steady his own bike! Near misses happen here all the time with children, dogs and adults.

The people’s mural will be obscured. The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.

The needs of motorists are being prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents. All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over and above the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex. This policy to prioritise cars is so out of step with climate change initiatives, the need to reduce emissions, the need to reduce car usage generally and the need to drive other forms of transport to protect our planet and secure our long term future. It's like watching the USA in the 1960's building ever larger and larger roads and bridges until they now have 12 lane highways and concrete jungles - all of which are still gridlocked no matter how much they keep being expanded. Building more roads is the wrong approach. TfNSW should be leading the way in public transport and green initiatives. Please stop this madness before it is too late!!!!!