Western Distributor Road Network Improvements

• modifying the intersection at Allen Street and Harris Street to provide three lanes northbound towards Harris St, and removing a pedestrian crossing
• enhancing visitor experience and refurbishing the two Anzac digger sculptures on the Anzac Bridge
• modifying the Pyrmont Bridge Road and Bank Street intersection, removing turning movements onto Bank Street from the eastbound Pyrmont Bridge Rd off-ramp and changing the off-ramp from one lane to two lanes
• constructing a new on-ramp connection to the Western Distributor from the Fig Street on-ramp, Pyrmont (subject to a future investment decision).

The Harris and Allen Street intersection will be reconfigured to provide three eastbound lanes on Allen Street with two right-turn lanes onto Harris Street. These changes will improve traffic flow through the intersection and reduce queueing on the Allen Street off-ramp and reduce queues in the morning peak.

Access to shops and Harris Street bus stops will be maintained via the remaining three pedestrian crossings, and improved traffic signal phasing will minimise crossing times for pedestrians and cyclists. Work to deliver the changes at the intersection will begin later this year and be complete by mid-2024.

The Allen Street and Harris Street intersection works will be delivered in stages and Transport will continue to keep the community updated as the project progresses.

Completed work
 
The first stage was completed in late 2023 and included; 

• Removal of the pedestrian crossing on the southern side of the intersection 
• Installation of temporary pedestrian fences to improve pedestrian safety
• Removal of one tree on the north-western corner of the intersection, tree trimming in the local area and fencing adjustments
• Moving the bus stop to north of the intersection along Harris Street
• Converting seven existing ½ hour parking spaces to 1-hour parking spaces, south of the intersection
• Provision of six additional 1-hour parking spaces and a loading zone provided south of the intersection
• Removal of six parking spaces and relocation of the loading zone located north of the intersection.

Community consultation 

Community consultation on the Harris Street bus stop relocation was carried out between 16 October 2023 and 5 November 2023. 

Transport have reviewed feedback and prepared a Consultation Report which summarises the feedback received. The report can be found here.

A decision to relocate the bus stop to the northern side of the Allen Street and Harris Street Intersection, was made to improve pedestrian safety and deter jaywalking across the intersection.

The two Anzac digger memorial sculptures on the western approach to Anzac Bridge will be refurbished. 

We are working closely with the NSW Office of Veterans’ Affairs, the Returned Services League of Australia NSW Branch and representatives of Country to explore opportunities for storytelling to share the Anzac legacy and the connection to the history of the bridge and to improve visitor amenity to the area. Work to refurbish the statues will begin in early 2024.

Changes at this intersection include: 

• new signalised crossing at base of off-ramp 
• two left turn only lanes onto Pyrmont Bridge Road 
• closing the turning movements onto Bank Street from the off-ramp to provide a new incident response vehicle bay.

These changes will reduce morning peak queues on Bank Street and the off-ramp, improve traffic flow and reduce wait times for pedestrians and cyclists. Work to upgrade this intersection will commence in 2025, after the Fish Markets have moved to their new location in Blackwattle Bay.

A new on-ramp at Darling Harbour was proposed as part of the REF scope, however delivery of this component is limited to enabling works only. Delivery of the weave ramp is subject to a future investment decision and there is currently no time frame for completion. 

The new ramp would join the Western Distributor from the existing Fig Street on-ramp at Pyrmont. It would provide safer and more direct access to the lane that connects the Western Distributor to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, reducing the need for motorists to cross multiple lanes. It will also remove the need for traffic to merge abruptly, reducing the likelihood of incidents.

• Project Update – August 2023 (PDF, 2.14 MB)
• Frequently asked questions (PDF, 145.86 KB) 

• Harris street bus stop relocation - Consultation Summary Report (PDF, 951.88 KB)
• Submissions report (PDF, 37.05 MB)

• Review of Environmental Factors
• Appendix C - Arboricultural impact assessment
• Appendix D - Non-Aboriginal Statement of Heritage Impact 

• Harris Street bus stop relocation - community notification - November 2023 (PDF, 471.4 KB)
• Harris Street bus stop relocation - Have Your Say FAQs post-consultation (PDF, 509.75 KB)
• Pedestrian crossing removal - community notification - November 2023 (PDF, 525.81 KB)