Transport for NSW will not introduce turning lanes nor clearways on Lawrence Hargrave Drive at Thirroul after the community at large rejected both options.
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Transport for NSW's preferred option was a continuous travel lane strategy, which would have introduced right-turn lanes at numerous intersections to prevent cars getting stuck behind turning vehicles.
This would have seen the removal of about 65 parking spaces.
The traffic authority also floated the idea of clearways during peak times on weekdays.
However, of the several hundred submissions received, almost 75 per cent were against the continuous travel lane while over 81 per cent were opposed to the clearways.
The removal of parking was the dominant issue, alongside concerns these were 'bandaid' solutions to the traffic problem, and safety and accessibility.
At least one person said the proposed clearways would not address the heavy traffic Thirroul experienced on weekends.
As a result of the overwhelmingly negative response to the proposals, Transport for NSW has decided not to proceed with either.
The agency says it will continue working with Wollongong City Council and the community on traffic improvements.
The submissions contained over 1800 suggestions on other traffic improvements.
The most common of these was upgrading the railway bridge, to remove the bottleneck.
Meanwhile, Transport for NSW has also released a report outlining the feedback it received on improving traffic in Bulli.
It had proposed several changes, including extended hours on existing clearways on the Princes Highway, added parking to Station Street and Railway Street, an upgrade of the roundabout at the end of Memorial Drive, more right-turn lanes at Grevillea Park Road and Point Street, a right-turn arrow light at Park Road, and prohibiting right turns in and out of Station Street.
Of the comments on the clearway changes, more than 22 per cent were positive but over 38 per cent were negative.
The concerns included the impact on businesses, and whether the proposed times were appropriate.
Transport for NSW said on-street parking on the Princes Highway would only be unavailable at peak traffic times, while the clearway hours had been identified to complement other clearways.
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People were overwhelming supportive of right-turn lanes at Grevillea Park Road and Point Street, although there were suggestions to build roundabouts at these intersections instead.
The feedback on the proposal to prohibit right turns at Station Street was mostly positive, as was the feedback on the upgrade of the Memorial Drive roundabout.
A common suggestion was to provide a right-turn lane at Hospital Street.
Transport for NSW says the feedback identified other opportunities for investigation, including improved traffic light phasing, reduced speed limits, and clear signage.
The agency says it will provide an update on this project early next year.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
