Support Rolls In For Adamstown Road Safety Improvements

City of Newcastle

The finishing touches have been completed on a $3.3 million project designed to improve the safety and accessibility of a notorious Adamstown black spot.

City of Newcastle has delivered a range of upgrades to improve navigation of the intersection of Glebe Road and Park Avenue, which has a history of vehicle crashes and frequent near misses.

This includes the installation of a new set of traffic lights, switched on last month. The lights have significantly improved safety for vehicles, while also making it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access local schools, businesses, public transport, and the Fernleigh Track.

The intersection was adjusted to accommodate the traffic lights, with a new median constructed east along Glebe Road to assist with managing traffic movements.

New shared paths, cycle ramps, and on-road cycle lane were also installed at the intersection to address the challenge previously faced by cyclists when crossing Glebe Road.

Newcastle Cycleways Movement President Sam Reich said the changes have made a positive difference to navigating the precinct.

"Glebe Road is heavily trafficked at relatively high speeds and cyclists and pedestrians have been riding and running for their lives across it for years," Mr Reich said.

"Much needed improvements to the shared spaces, paths and lanes have made the intersection much more user friendly, and pedestrians and cyclists can now cross Glebe Road at a signalised crossing.

"Newcastle Cycleways Movement has worked closely with the City of Newcastle for years to get this result, and we congratulate the planners and crews who have completed this complex project so successfully."

More than 1,700 vehicles per hour travel through the busy intersection of during peak periods on a typical weekday.

The project was part funded by a $971,000 grant through the Australian Government's Black Spot Program.

Mattara Dry Cleaners Director Lee Kliousis has operated his business in Adamstown for more than 30 years and said the recent safety upgrades were a welcome outcome.

"Before the traffic lights were installed, I was calling the police, a tow truck, or an ambulance almost every week because of vehicle crashes," Mr Kliousis said.

"It was a notorious black spot, especially with drivers crossing from Park Avenue onto Glebe Road, it often felt like a game of chance than safe driving.

"The new pedestrian crossing has made a difference too. It's much safer now to walk across the road to The Gates Hotel, a big improvement for locals and visitors alike."

City of Newcastle will continue working with Transport for NSW to maximise the performance of the intersection, including ongoing works with Sydney Trains around the coordination of the signals with the operation of the rail gates.

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