TRAFFIC flow at two major intersections in the Cronulla electorate will be improved at a cost of $6 million.
Roads Minister Duncan Gay said $5 million would be included in this year's state budget to upgrade the busy crossing near North Cronulla beach, where traffic can queue for hundreds of metres during the summer peak.
He said $1 million would be spent at the corner of the Kingsway and Gannons Road, improving the right-hand turn for motorists travelling west.
It was the government's fourth major roads announcement for Sutherland Shire in as many weeks (see breakout).
Mr Gay said the work at the intersection of the Kingsway, Gerrale Street and Elouera Road, North Cronulla, would be guided by a traffic study to be completed in a month.
The government contributed $40,000 to the Sutherland Shire Council study.
Mr Gay said Roads and Maritime Services would identify the best overall solution, which could include addressing intersections on the Kingsway up to 200 metres west of Elouera Road.
Cronulla MP Mark Speakman said a proposal considered many years ago for a pedestrian bridge over Gerrale Street probably would do little to unclog traffic.
"It wouldn't solve the problem of competing traffic flows from the west to the south and the north," he said.
He said widening the Gannons Road rail bridge underpass would be considered as part of a proposed upgrade of the Kingsway corridor, which was dependent on privatisation of electricity "poles and wires".
No funding has been allocated for a proposed new access road to Cronulla.
Many residents have called for Tonkin Street and Searl Road — now separated by Tonkin Oval — to be linked, providing a new way to reach South Cronulla.
MONEY TREE
Only two of the recent four road announcements are said to be included in the budget forward estimates.
The other two would depend on electricity privatisation.
‘‘Normal’’ budget allocations have been announced for the latest two projects at Cronulla and for $10 million to upgrade four major ‘‘pinch points’’.
They are the intersection of Captain Cook Drive, Taren Point Road and The Boulevarde, Caringbah ($3 million); President Avenue and Gymea Bay Road, Gymea ($5 million); Princes Highway and Port Hacking Road, Sylvania ($1 million); and the section of the Kingsway through Caringbah shopping strip ($1 million).
Is this be the best way to deal with traffic problems in the area?