Through traffic on the Linden Street, Sutherland road corridor will be given priority, with a new lane to be built in each direction and a ban imposed on traffic movements at two side streets.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) says the changes will save motorists travelling over Woronora Bridge between Sutherland and Menai up to eight minutes on a daily return journey in busy periods.
There was no estimate of the extra time it may take local residents forced to take detours.
Under the plans, through traffic on The Grand Parade and the left turn into Galga Street will be banned.
RMS has released a report on the proposed changes for community feedback.
Proposed upgrades of three "pinch point' intersections include:
River Road and Linden Street
- Road widening to provide an extra through lane for traffic heading south towards Sutherland.
- Enabling two lanes to turn right from Linden Street on to River Road, heading towards Menai.
- Banning the left turn from Linden Street into Galga Street.
Linden Street and Leonay Street
- Road widening to create an extra lane for traffic traveling south on Linden Street towards Sutherland.
- Adding right turn arrows to the Leonay Street traffic signals to allow easier and safer right turns onto Linden Street.
Linden Street and The Grand Parade
- Road widening to create an extra lane for traffic traveling north on Linden Street towards Menai.
- Installing a traffic island so road users can only turn left and right out of The Grand Parade.
- Adjusting the traffic light phasing, taking the time from the through movement on The Grand Parade and giving it to the busier parts of the intersection.
The RMS report said the Linden Street corridor struggled under the strain of peak hour traffic.
"People traveling between Menai and Sutherland are left sitting in a queue of traffic," the document said.
"The Linden Street corridor is a key east-west connection between Bangor Bypass and Princes Highway.
"It is used by around 6000 motorists and 500 bus passengers an hour in peak periods and is crucial to keeping people moving around the Sutherland Shire and greater Sydney."
Feedback can be provided up until 5pm on August 19.
Comments can also be made by calling the project manager on 1800 572 114 during business hours.
Two community information sessions have been organised:
- Club on East, Sutherland, 4pm to 7pm on Thursday, August 1 and 10am to 1pm on Saturday, August 3.
- Menai Marketplace, 4pm to 7pm on Thursday, August 8 and 10am to 1pm on Saturday, August 10.
