The The upgraded Alton Road intersection was officially opened on 19 December by Minister for Hunter Yasmin Catley, Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper and Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully - represented by Ms Catley at the opening - said the project was a game-changer for the increasingly busy thoroughfare.
“The NSW Government and Lake Macquarie City Council have teamed up to future-proof this important intersection for motorists in Cooranbong, so they will have less congestion and a safer road to travel on,” he said.
“With more than $195 million in approved developments flowing through Cooranbong in the past financial year alone, it’s vitally important to support the rapid expansion of Lake Macquarie’s south-west.”
The upgrade will reduce congestion, improve pedestrian safety, improve the safety of turning out of Alton Rd into Freemans Dr and provide a connection to the shared path through the University.
A new speed limit of 40kmph is now in effect and new formalised carpark has been established on the corner of Freemans Dr and University Dr to assist with the loss of on-street parking.
The traffic islands along Freemans Drive, opposite the entry to Waratah Medical Services and The Elephant Shop, have permanently changed entry and exit options to this location for vehicles.
There is now no right turn allowed for southbound traffic, and no right turn allowed to join southbound traffic when departing driveways opposite the traffic island (see below image).
Bus shelters and stops on Alton Road have been relocated by about 50m, to the northern end of the shopping complex, to improve accessibility.
The car park servicing the Alton Road shopping precinct was also renovated during this project to increase parking spaces and improve traffic flow.
