City of Newcastle has begun work on a $3.3 million project designed to improve the safety and accessibility of a notorious Adamstown black spot.
More than 1,700 vehicles per hour travel through the busy intersection of Glebe Road and Park Avenue during peak periods on a typical weekday.
Traffic lights are being installed by City of Newcastle to improve safety at the intersection, which has a history of vehicle crashes and frequent near misses.
Pedestrians and cyclists navigating the intersection will also benefit from the new traffic lights, which will enable safer access to local schools, businesses, public transport and the Fernleigh Track.
The project is part funded by a $971,000 grant through the Australian Government's Black Spot Program.
City of Newcastle Executive Manager - Transport & Regulation Ryan Tranter, with Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge and Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon at the Glebe Road intersection.Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said the project would address longstanding safety issues for the community.
"This area experiences a large volume of traffic and has an unfortunate history of crashes, which has long been of concern to the local community," Cr Kerridge said.
"We are pleased to have worked with the Australian Government to secure funding for this important project through their Black Spot Program, which help fund safety measures to help prevent future vehicle crashes.
"We have also worked with the NSW Government through Transport for NSW to secure the approvals needed for this project and ensure the lights will be integrated with the nearby rail level crossing.
"The project would have further benefits for the local community should the NSW Government also progress plans for its Lower Hunter Freight Corridor, which would remove heavy freight trains from residential rail lines in Newcastle and help address the historic traffic issues being experienced in this precinct of Adamstown as a result.
"The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor would be a major infrastructure enhancement for the region and indeed for the country."
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon welcomed the start of construction and the benefits the project will provide.
"I am so pleased to see this project get underway, with the backing of the Albanese Labor Government, to deliver safer roads and safer journeys in Newcastle.
"This intersection has seen a number of vehicle crashes and near misses over the years.
"These upgrades will help reduce vehicle crashes and improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists by providing an improved connection between the train station, schools, and bus stops."
The project will include a realignment of the intersection to accommodate the traffic lights and the construction of a new median on Glebe Road.
A new shared path, cycle ramps, and on-road cycle lane will be installed, addressing the challenge of crossing Glebe Road by providing cyclists with a safer crossing option using the traffic lights.
The project is expected to be completed by mid this year, with much of the work to be completed at night to minimise the impact on road users.
