Controversy Lane Cove Tunnel

1 controversy

1.1 air quality
1.2 2007 state election
1.3 changes epping road

controversy
air quality

a report csiro deputy chief of air science, dr peter manins, concluded ambient air quality modelling undertaken lane cove tunnel best practice . air quality modelling indicated lane cove tunnel comfortably meet air quality requirements set planning minister s conditions of approval. dr manins said of air quality modelling results in fact on estimate emission , pollution levels .

ambient air quality monitored @ 4 monitoring stations nearby tunnel s ventilation stacks. monitoring results published in real time on operator s website.

the air quality readings published particulate matter (pm10) 24-hour averages, required planning minister s conditions of approval tunnel. commentators concerned averaging readings on 24 hours disguises fact 50ug goal may exceeded during peak periods, low readings, typically occur after midnight, counteracting short-term breaches occur during peak periods.

2007 state election

the labor government accused of interfering in tunnel project increase re-election chances in march 2007 election. tunnel s expected late-2006 opening pushed january or february , closer poll date. in fact, deadline missed , opening announced 25 march, day after election.

in december 2006, announced surface road changes delayed 5 months, meaning not completed until after state , federal elections. delay, cut tunnel revenues, agreed operators @ cost taxpayers of $25 million.

the sydney morning herald described payment bribe , political rort . according herald editorial, use of public funds compensate connector motorways delays road changes around tunnel ... cynical piece of political jobbery sydney has seen in many long year.

changes epping road

changes made epping road , associated roads included:

a bus interchange, completed in march 2008, on corner of longueville road , parklands avenue @ lane cove.
a new pedestrian bridge across longueville road providing access bus interchange , link lane cove village.
a new cycleway , pedestrian path between mowbray road , pacific highway, join completed cycleway between mowbray , wicks road, north ryde, , along gore hill freeway between pacific highway , naremburn.
because on 30 per cent of travel on epping road public transport, bus-only lanes provided.

some parts of epping road , longueville road required widening provide dedicated bus lanes , cycle path.

epping road eastbound, between mowbray road west , longueville road, lane cove, has 1 general traffic lane , 1 bus lane eastbound.

epping road westbound, between longueville road , centennial avenue, , between sam johnson way , mowbray road west, has 2 general traffic lanes , 1 bus lane. between centennial avenue , sam johnson way has 1 general traffic lane , 1 bus lane.

right turn lanes reinstated westbound traffic @ intersection of parklands avenue , centennial avenue, lane cove. street lighting upgraded. final construction activity, epping road between mowbray road , pacific highway resurfaced new asphalt , new line marking.

these changes considered in 2001 environmental impact statement (eis) , part of planning minister s 2003 approval. have been supported more recent parliamentary inquiry.

the measures designed try overcome disconnection of local community resulting extensive road work – reinstating right hand lanes, adding pedestrian crossings , making improvements public transport infrastructure. extensive community consultation undertaken.