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Changes for Traffic on the Eastern Distributor
8 February 2010
There will be changed traffic conditions in the Eastern Distributor's Northbound tunnel from 21 February 2010.
There will be some lane closures in the Northbound tunnel in the evenings over the next two weeks for roadworks required to reduce risky and illegal lane changes and improve safety, a spokesperson for the Eastern Distributor said today.
To accommodate these safety roadworks, the Anzac Parade / Moore Park / Driver's triangle on ramp will be closed at night for two weeks from 21 February as will two of the three Northbound lanes in the Eastern Distributor tunnel.
During these lane closures, a new barrier of 45 cm tall flexible plastic bollards will be installed along the existing unbroken line markings.
"The new barrier will reinforce the existing lane markings to reduce the incidence of illegal lane changing," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the changes to the Northbound tunnel are designed to prevent the following illegal lane changing manoeuvres.
- From the Anzac Parade and Moore Park Road entries to the Eastern Distributor – to the William Street exit
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| NO LONGER ABLE TO EXIT WILLIAM ST | STILL ABLE TO EXIT AT WILLIAM ST |
"Motorists who rely on these illegal lane changes will be prevented by the new barrier from making these changes.
The spokesperson said despite clear line markings and recently installed additional measures some motorists have continued to put themselves and others at risk by making these illegal lane changes.
"The changes are the result of a detailed audit by road safety experts and have the approval of the Roads and Traffic Authority.
"The results of this initiative have been closely monitored following the installation of similar barriers in the Southbound tunnel. This has resulted in a positive contribution to safety in that tunnel and we will now replicate this in the Northbound tunnel.
"Reminders about the installation of new barriers in the Northbound tunnel will be displayed on variable message signs from now on, until motorists are familiar with the changes. The changes made to the Southbound tunnel resulted in minimal impacts to traffic flow and we expect the same result in this instance."