DESIGN work is completed for safety improvements to Cary Street at Toronto, one of the most dangerous roads in Lake Macquarie.
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Since 2009, 29 crashes have occurred resulting in 23 injuries on Cary Street between south of Thorne Street and north of Victory Parade.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has finalised the preferred design for the improvements.
"Overall, I am pleased with the revised design," Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper, said.
"It incorporates many of the suggestions made by the community through my office and directly to the RMS during the initial consultation process."
Key features of the improvements [see graphic on page 7] include:
■ The installation of traffic lights at the Donnelly Avenue and James Street intersection;
■ New right-turn bays on Cary Street for northbound and southbound traffic; and
■ Right turns into Victory Parade will be retained for buses only.
Mr Piper said other important improvements were a dedicated left-hand turning lane into Victory Parade, extra provisions for buses, traffic calming on the westbound lane approaching the Cary Street roundabout, prioritising Donnelly Avenue traffic and the retention of parking spaces.
"I think the plans as they stand will vastly improve safety and traffic flow, but there may be further improvements that can be made. There has already been a lot of discussion on social media about the plans and I urge people to take those ideas to the RMS at the next community consultation session on April 28."
Mr Piper said there had been discussion about the need for a dual carriageway on the main road from Morisset to Glendale.
"This is clearly the ideal and I think we are working towards that by systematically upgrading the areas of highest congestion and safety concern, such as the Woodrising and Rathmines turn-offs, and now the Cary Street stretch at Toronto."
The NSW government provided $1.5 million this year for planning and to start work to relocate utilities at the site.
Cary Street is used by about 25,000 vehicles daily.