Earlier this week, a dividing barrier was installed at the western end of Smith Street, along the northern side.

A Wollongong City Council spokeswoman said the Smith Street cycle lane would be completed by the end of March.

When finished the pop-up cycle lane will run from the western end of Smith Street to Harbour Street and then left towards Belmore Basin.

Travelling east, cyclists will have to cross over to the other side of the road twice - to the southern side at the Keira Street intersection, and then back to the other side at Harbour Street.

For motorists, the biggest change will be along Smith Street between Keira and Harbour streets.

That means this stretch of Smith Street will become one-way eastbound - a change that could increase traffic along Campbell and Market street as motorists look to head west.