Update
The main changes to traffic flow required for the final stage of the Woolooware Bay Town Centre development will start on Monday, July 22.
Access to Fitness First has already changed, with patrons having to use the entrance to the Sharks club for about the next six months.
The final stage of the development includes apartment blocks above the Bay Central shopping centre and a revitalised Sharks Leagues Club.
Project manager Matt Crews said Capital Bluestone, a division of Aoyuan International, had been working with the Sharks, Sutherland Shire Council, local schools, sporting groups and residents to plan the first stage of road works.
Key changes include the roundabout at Woolooware Road being removed, and a concrete barrier installed down the middle of Captain Cook Drive between Foreshore Boulevard and Woolooware High School.
At points along Captain Cook Drive between Elouera Road and Gannons Road the carriageway will drop to a single lane in each direction.
Traffic will no longer be able to:
- Cross Captain Cook Drive at this intersection.
- Turn right out of Woolooware Road onto Captain Cook Drive.
- Turn right from Captain Cook Drive into Woolooware Road.
- Turn right from Captain Cook Drive into the leagues club.
- Turn right from the leagues club into Captain Cook Drive.
Access to car parking for the leagues club will still be available, but entry and exit will only be as above.
For all other access, motorists will need to travel to either the existing Elouera Road or Gannons Road roundabouts and make u-turns.
Pedestrian access across Captain Cook Drive will be limited.
Mr Crews said the roadworks would take about 12 months to complete.
"A 40 kilometre per hour speed limit will apply and enforced along Captain Cook Drive between Gannons Road and Elouera Road," he said.
"The new road system will improve access, safety and traffic flow for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians travelling through the area, in and around the new shopping centre and upgraded club.
"The multi-million dollar improvements will include a double lane carriageway in both directions, upgraded intersections controlled by traffic lights and new pedestrian paths and cycleways."
"We recognise that no one is ever happy about roadworks, so our team has been focused on how to minimise disruption and create a program that will deliver the new road system as quickly as possible.
"The most important thing for us is making sure all road users - drivers, cyclists and pedestrians - understand the best and safest way to use Captain Cook Drive and surrounding streets during this necessary period of change.
"Wherever possible, it's preferable to plan an alternative route, and at the very least expect your trip may take longer than usual.
"Because it's a changing and busy construction environment, we are also urging the public to remain alert to their environment."
Mr Crews said variable message signs would be in place.
Earlier
Major road construction works on Captain Cook Drive, outside the Sharks development, are due to start on July 1 and continue for 12 months.
A council report says the works "are extensive and will cause significant disruption to existing travel patterns".
A 40 km/h speed limit will be imposed for the duration of the project.
The works are required for stage four of the Woolooware Bay Town Centre development, which will provide a new retail centre, apartments and hotel on the site of the leagues club car park.
A report to the Sutherland Shire Consultative Traffic Forum said developer Capital Bluestone had advised it intended to commence road works construction, together with the relocation and installation of public utility services in both Captain Cook Drive and Woolooware Road, on July 1.
"To address these issues traffic management plans have been prepared for the various works stages, as well as implementation of lower speed limit through the works area," the report said.
"These works are extensive and will require a twelve month construction program.
"The works involve:
- Temporarily reducing the road carriageway to two lanes (one eastbound and one westbound).
- Removing the existing central median islands.
- Removing the existing roundabout at Woolooware Road.
- Earthworks to raise Woolooware Road above flooding levels.
- Realigning Woolooware Road carriageway to the east.
- Installing public utility services and stormwater drainage;
- Constructing kerb and gutter, including indented bus bays for the development and Woolooware High School;
- Reconstructing the central median islands;
- Reconstructing road pavements in Captain Cook Drive and Woolooware Road; and
- Installing and commissioning two new traffic signal controlled intersections - one at Captain Cook Drive and Woolooware Road, and the other for the loading bay and entrance to the development.
"These road works are required as conditions of consent for the stage four development.
"In order to accomplish these works within a twelve-month period, a number of temporary changes are required to accommodate the varying works locations.
"In addition, to ensure the safety of the general public, pedestrians and construction workers during the course of the works, approval will be sought to lower the speed limit to 40 km/h for the duration of the works."