Member for Monaro John Barilaro, NSW Roads minister Duncan Gay and Jerrabomberra Residents Assocation president Michael Ziebell discuss the changes to the intersection at Tompsitt and Lanyon Drive. Photo: Belinda Strahorn.
NSW Roads minister Duncan Gay, Jerrabomberra Residents Association president Michael Ziebell and Member for Monaro John Barilaro discuss the changes to the intersection at Tompsitt and Lanyon Drive. Photo: Belinda Strahorn.
JERRABOMBERRA Residents Association president Michael Ziebell has welcomed the state government's changes to the roundabout at Tompsitt Drive and Lanyon Drive.
In one month's time, drivers will be able to turn left from both lanes on Tompsitt Drive. Upgraded line markings on the road will allow a left turn and a shared left/right turn.
Mr Ziebell said this was a good short term solution to remedy the congestion between Lanyon Drive and the Jerrabomberra roundabout during rush hour.
However, he said the next step was investigating the long term options to fix the problem such as the possibility of queue triggered traffic lights.
"The traffic lights would face motorists coming down Lanyon Drive but they would only be triggered when the queue on Tompsitt Drive reached a certain level," Mr Ziebell explained.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay said the new arrangement would help ease traffic coming in and out of the suburb during peak periods and make it safer for motorists.
"The work should improve traffic flow through the roundabout and limit the number of motorists who feel the need to use the right turn land to circulate the roundabout to continue westbound on Lanyon Drive," he said.
Member for Monaro John Barilaro said he was pleased the State Government had responded to concerns regarding the roundabout.
"This is a bottleneck that has frustrated Jerrabomberra residents for a number of years," Mr Barilaro said.
"Traffic is banked up each morning due to the unbalanced roundabout making it difficult for Jerrabomberra drivers to get to work on time."
The decision to create two left turning lanes was a result of team work between the JRA and Roads and Maritime Services.
The JRA suggested several short and long term option and the RMS was able to provide feedback on what would be the most feasible solutions.
Armed with that knowledge the JRA asked for community feedback and Mr Ziebell said an "overwhelming majority" was in favour of the two left turn lanes.
"We're pleased with (a), the outcome and (b), the RMS's consultation with us," he said. "This is just one step in the whole roads issue."