More Sydney Light Rail confusion as drivers left stumped over changes to intersections

Confused drivers have been left stumped over a number of changes to intersections brought on by Sydney’s embattled $2.7billion light rail. 

Scores of people have taken to Facebook to say they have been unable to make turns at a number of busy road junctures on High Street, in Randwick, Sydney’s east. 

‘How do vehicles travelling east on High St enter UNSW near corner of Wansea Rd?’ one driver commented. 

Another one said: ‘Is there a good reason for why you can no longer turn right from High Street to Avoca Street? 

Confused drivers have been left stumped over a number of changes to intersections brought on from Sydney’s embattled $2.7billion light rail (pictured, a map of the changes to the turnoffs at intersections along High Street in Randwick, Sydney’s east. The arrows at each intersection indicate the direction a driver can turn)

A commuter walks past the first Light Rail Vehicle in Circular Quay on July 30

A commuter walks past the first Light Rail Vehicle in Circular Quay on July 30

Scores of drivers have taken to Facebook to say they have been unable to make turns at a number of busy road junctures on High Street, in Randwick, Sydney's east

Scores of drivers have taken to Facebook to say they have been unable to make turns at a number of busy road junctures on High Street, in Randwick, Sydney’s east

‘Right now you end up queueing behind vehicles turning left into Belmore road (waiting for pedestrians) but the right turn was always both safe and quick. I don’t understand why this is now a no right turn.’ 

The New South Wales government has released a rundown of changes to turnoffs along intersections at places like Botany Street, Hospital Road and Clara Street intersections along the busy High Street. 

A Transport for NSW spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia a safety campaign had also been launched.

‘Transport for NSW reminds all road users to be careful when moving near the new light rail corridor. Trams are being tested day and night in Randwick.

‘Transport for NSW has run tram safety communications since March 2018. The latest tram safety campaign, “Heads Up, Play it Safe around Light Rail” launched in July 2019 and is being expanded in line with the testing program.’ 

To clear up any confusion on how to share the road with a tram, Sydney Light Rail has also taken to Facebook to update drivers on a few safety tips.

Drivers are reminded to not queue across the rail lines that pass through intersections and to follow the appropriate signage.

They are reminded to never travel along the tracks in the middle of the road and to stick to the designated lanes on the outside of the tram line.

The reminder comes after the NSW government released footage showing a number of near misses between trams and pedestrians during a test run of the tram line. 

Safety tips for driver 

With the first leg of the Sydney light rail slated to open in December, drivers are reminded of a few road rules to follow to ensure their safety:

1) Do not drive along the tram tracks

2) Don’t queue across the intersections

3) Follow traffic signals and don’t turn in front of a tram

4) Don’t stop or park on a tram lane 

Source: Sydney Light Rail 

 

In one instance, a cyclist ignores the warning signs from a public transport worker to stop and crosses the tracks as a tram approaches only metres away.

Another bit of footage shows a car drive over the tracks with an oncoming tram forced to stop to avoid a collision. 

The first leg of the Sydney Light Rail is expected to open in December this year, though will only carry passengers between Randwick to Circular Quay. 

The branch line to Kingsford along Anzac Parade is a long way from completion – early agency reports have hinted work could continue until March of 2020.

Construction of the light rail has been plagued with a number of setbacks since work began in 2015.

Not only has the construction end date been pushed back by more than 12 months, but more than a billion dollars extra has been injected into the project.  

To clear up any confusion on how to share the road with a tram, Sydney Light Rail has taken to Facebook to update drivers on a few safety tips (pictured, drivers are reminded to stick to their designated lanes and not drive along the tram lines)

To clear up any confusion on how to share the road with a tram, Sydney Light Rail has taken to Facebook to update drivers on a few safety tips (pictured, drivers are reminded to stick to their designated lanes and not drive along the tram lines)

Drivers are reminded to not queue across the rail lines that pass through intersections and to follow the appropriate signage

Drivers are reminded to not queue across the rail lines that pass through intersections and to follow the appropriate signage

The New South Wales government released the footage as a warning for those on the roads to be aware of the new trams (pictured, a cyclist brakes just in time for a passing tram)

The New South Wales government released the footage as a warning for those on the roads to be aware of the new trams (pictured, a cyclist brakes just in time for a passing tram) 

Most recently, a painting blunder on Devonshire Street near Central Station was circulated online and became the laughing stock of social media users.

The westbound tram sign appeared to be painted in the gap between the tracks instead of between the proper set of tracks in the left of the picture.

If the signage was correct it would mean trams going in opposite directions would share a rail. 

Photos surfaced in April last year of empty work sites along the tram line as workers cooked up a barbecue and were seen toying with their phones.

Another worker was seen reclined in a backhoe using his phone as the weekday traffic drove around the site. 

Thursday, 12pm: This worker chilled out on his backhoe as traffic snarled and the city streets bustled with foot traffic,

A worker was filmed in April last year kicking back in the backhoe and scrolling through his phone 

Construction of the light rail has been plagued with obstacles since the start of its construction in 2015

Construction of the light rail has been plagued with obstacles since the start of its construction in 2015

The light rail is expected to open in December this year, though will only carry passengers between Randwick to Circular Quay

The light rail is expected to open in December this year, though will only carry passengers between Randwick to Circular Quay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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