The state government has scrapped plans for a 35-metre long pedestrian bridge over New Illawarra Road at Menai following community opposition.
Heathcote MP Lee Evans said he had received “extensive feedback from the Menai community”.
“I thank the local residents who contacted my office for working with me to achieve this outcome,” he said in a statement.
“The funds allocated for this project will be used locally to ease traffic congestion.”
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) announced early this year the structure would be built near Barry Road as part of the $300 million Gateway to the South Pinch Points program.
RMS said the pedestrian bridge would replace an existing signalised pedestrian crossing and “increase safety and improve connectivity between the eastern and western sides of New Illawarra Road for pedestrians and cyclists”.
The bridge was to have been 35.7 metres long and allow clearance for heavy vehicles up to 5.6 metres high.
Announcing the project would not go ahead, Mr Evans said the government was “continuing to deliver on its commitment to ease congestion and improve journey reliability on Sydney’s key southern corridors.”
“The Gateway to the South Pinch Point Program is addressing critical pinch points along a number of main roads in the south including Heathcote Road, New Illawarra Road and Alfords Point Road to improve traffic flow, journey reliability and travel times for motorists,” he said.
“More than half of the program is now underway and will benefit all motorists for years to come.
“There are still more opportunities to improve traffic flow in southern Sydney and RMS is continuing to work with communities to develop projects across the busiest road corridors.”
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