Wolli Creek residents are calling for a pedestrian overpass on the Princes Highway to be fast tracked after a woman was hit and killed last week.
She later died in hospital.
Tight-knit members of the Wolli Creek community say that accidents are a regular occurrence at the intersection as drivers speed up to miss the red light.
Ross Berry has lived in Wolli Creek for the past four years in the building closest to the highway.
He said accidents happen regularly. He can remember at least two incidents in the last two years when cars have gone through shopfronts.
“We hear sirens all the time, accidents are a common occurrence,’’ he said.
“The traffic is gridlocked and with a bit of rain it’s just a nightmare.
“People see the amber light and they put their foot down and fly through.’’
He regularly crosses the intersection and said he feels unsafe just waiting at the traffic lights with people speeding around the corner to enter Brodie Sparks Drive.
He has joined with other residents to call for a proposed pedestrian overpass to be fast tracked.
The NSW Government flagged a possible overpass in its Bayside West Precincts Land Use and Infrastructure Strategy.
It was also mentioned in the Cahill Park master plan which was endorsed by the former Rockdale Council earlier this year.
Mr Berry had already put in a submission on the state government strategy which is open for community feedback.
“Something needs to be done now,’’ he said.
“It needs to be done quickly before another life is lost.’’
Former Rockdale Councillor Nicholas Mickovski is a former resident and has long advocated for safety improvements in Wolli Creek.
“Living there I had a few near misses myself with jaywalking and other drivers speeding,’’ he said.
“It is very unsafe which is why I strongly support local residents in their call for an overpass.’’
He is also calling for other safety measures including a red light camera and an increased police presence.
“Something needs to be done sooner rather than later,’’ he said.
“I’ll continue to advocate for safety improvements and this tragic accident is a timely reminder for that.’’
Member for Rockdale Steve Kamper said he will also push to have the project moved forward.
“What has happened here is an absolute tragedy,’’ he said.
“I've had a very productive conversation with the proponent of Cooks Cove today to fast track the delivery of a pedestrian footbridge over the Princes Highway at Wolli Creek this morning, and they are fully supportive of delivering this for the community.
“We need a solution here so that this is never allowed to happen again.”
A Roads and Maritime spokeswoman said in the most recent five years of available crash data to 2015 there were no pedestrian crashes reported at the intersection.
“Roads and Maritime will continue to monitor the intersection, where there is a traffic light for pedestrians to cross the Princes Highway in two stages using a central refuge,’’ she said.
“The Department of Planning and Environment’s draft Land Use and Infrastructure Strategy released in November, includes the potential for a future overpass at this location to support local development and would be subject to funding through a Special Infrastructure Contribution payable by developers in the area.’’
