Sydney’s busiest bike route is closer to having a separated cycleway with major construction works on the Oxford and Liverpool Street project beginning next week.
Once complete, the nearly 1km long cycleway will give thousands of daily riders a two-way link between the city and the eastern suburbs, greatly improving the safety and enjoyment of riding.
The City of Sydney’s Oxford Street west project involves construction between Castlereagh Street and Taylor Square, while the state government’s Oxford Street east project will be built between Taylor Square and Paddington Gates.
“Oxford Street is our most popular for riding, but it also has the most reported bike crashes of any street in our area. This dedicated cycleway will give thousands of people confidence to safely get around on two wheels,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.
“When we put this kind of infrastructure in we often see the number of people riding double within the first 12 months and I’m sure Oxford Street will be no different.
“This important project will also calm traffic, create a buffer that makes footpath space more pleasant and increase the number of people using the street, all of which will make Oxford Street an even more vibrant part of our city.”
Once complete, parking controls on Oxford Street will largely reflect the existing situation, with peak period bus lanes and off-peak loading and parking.
The cycleway will run along the northern side of Oxford Street between Taylor Square and Castlereagh Street, with the works including:
- a separator kerb between the cycleway and the eastbound traffic lanes
- new garden beds, street furniture and continuous footpath treatments
- upgrading nine signalised intersections and pedestrian crossings
- new signs and line marking
- stormwater drainage works
- minor changes to parking and loading
- changes to street lighting
- minor modifications to the location of bus stops.
Initial works to remove a median strip on Liverpool Street and carry out site investigations began in November ahead of the Christmas break.
Construction will be staged to minimise disruption and begin on the Liverpool Street section of the project, between Elizabeth and College streets.
We have consulted with key stakeholders throughout this process and will stop construction and clear the site in the lead up to the 2024 Sydney Mardi Gras in March.
The Oxford Street west project is one part of an essential link in the state government’s strategic vision for connecting people riding between the eastern suburbs and the city centre. The City of Sydney is a strong supporter of the state government’s Oxford Street east proposal for a dedicated cycleway on the southern side of Oxford Street between Taylor Square and Paddington Gates.
We expect to complete our Oxford Street west project by the end of 2024, weather and other conditions permitting.
The project is jointly funded by the City of Sydney and the NSW Government, which is providing $11.6 million as part of its Get NSW Active program.
