Parliament Drive—Conversion to one-way road
Map showing new traffic arrangements
Frequently asked questions
Why one-way?
Why anti-clockwise?
When will the change to one-way happen?
What road works are happening now?
What about the drop-off and pick-up points?
What are the new arrangements?
At 6.30am on Tuesday 22 August 2006, most of Parliament Drive will become
a one-way road.
Traffic will travel in an anti-clockwise direction.
The speed limit on Parliament Drive will be increased to 50 kph from the
current 40 kph.
Ministerial Wing slip road entrance and exit points will be reversed.
There will be no stopping on the outside lane.
What about public transport?
ACTION buses have been advised of the changes and amended their routes.
Taxi companies are currently being informed of the changes. Comcars have
been informed of the changes.
How will the general public be informed of the new arrangements?
The general public will be informed via newspaper advertisements commencing
Saturday 5 August 2006, radio broadcasts and electronic sign boards on
all approaches to Parliament House.
Will there be any changes to the look of Parliament Drive?
There will be some signs added and some road marking changes. Wherever
possible, signs will be added to existing posts. The changes should not
affect the overall appearance of the building or precincts.
Has the National Capital Authority been consulted?
Yes. The NCA has been consulted and has no objection to the changes.
Will access to the Ministerial Wing slip road be affected?
To facilitate access from Melbourne Avenue to the Ministerial Wing, the
entry and exit to the Ministerial Wing slip road are being reversed ie
entry will be from the eastern end. This ensures Ministers, their staff
and official visitors coming from Melbourne Avenue will not have to lap
the building before accessing the slip road.
Further queries
1. From 22 August 2006, most of Parliament Drive will
become a one-way road, with anti-clockwise traffic flow.
2. Also from 22 August 2006, the speed limit on Parliament Drive will
be increased to 50 kph from the current 40 kph.
3. This circular sets out:
(a) the immediate impact of the changes—road works in
the Parliamentary precincts;
(b) details of the change to a one-way road;
(c) reasons for the change;
(d) the impact on drop-off and pick-up points on Parliament Drive;
(e) contact points for further information; and
(f) a map showing the new traffic flow arrangements.
Roadworks in the Parliamentary precincts
4. The conversion of Parliament Drive will require some road works
and change to signs in the Parliamentary precincts.
First stage of road works
5. The first stage of the work will involve the installation
of new signs (some of which will need to be covered until the change-over
day), drawing of some new road markings, and some removal of redundant
road markings. This work will start on Thursday 27 July 2006, and continue
until Saturday 29 July 2006. It will recommence on Monday 31 July 2006
and is scheduled to finish by Friday 4 August. The works will be undertaken
between 7am and 4pm each day.
Second stage of road works
6. The second stage of the work will involve finalising the remaining
new road markings. While this is done, barricades will be used to ensure
appropriate traffic movement. This work, which can only be done after
the change-over has taken effect, will start on Tuesday 22 August 2006
and should be finished, weather permitting, by Friday 25 August 2006.
7. Every attempt will be made to minimise the impact of the road works,
but they will inevitably cause minor disruptions to traffic flow at
certain times. You are advised to allow additional travel time during
the period of the road works.
Detail of the new arrangements
8. At 6.30am on Tuesday 22 August 2006, most of Parliament
Drive will become a one-way road.
9. Traffic will travel anti-clockwise (ie northbound
past the House of Representatives, eastbound past the Ministerial Wing,
and southbound past the Senate).
10. Two-way traffic flow will be retained on the northern section of
Parliament Drive between Commonwealth Avenue and Kings Avenue (ie in
front of the public entrance to the building).
11. A map highlighting the new traffic flow is
attached.
Reasons for the change
12. Making most of Parliament Drive one-way is intended to reduce traffic
congestion, and improve safety and security.
Reduction in traffic congestion
13. Traffic flow around Parliament Drive is currently
affected by several aspects of our security arrangements. Since swipe
access to the Senate and House of Representatives car parks was introduced
several years ago, peak hour traffic on the Senate and House sides has
had problems caused by vehicles queuing in both directions on Parliament
Drive waiting to enter the car parks. Through-traffic moving anti-clockwise
must weave its way through between the two queues, while clockwise traffic
attempts to pass queued traffic on the outside. One-way traffic flow
at these entrances will mean that there is one queue to enter the car
parks, and a through lane that is not affected by the car park queue.
Separating through traffic and stopping traffic
14. The recent activation of the bollards has increased the amount of
pick-up and set-down traffic in the vicinity of the car park and slip
road entrances and exits. Separating this traffic from the through traffic
should also improve traffic flow. As well, vehicles will no longer be
able to make U-turns on Parliament Drive.
Pedestrian safety
15. Pedestrian and traffic safety should also improve, because people
will no longer be dropped off or picked up on the far side of Parliament
Drive and therefore won’t have to cross the road to reach Parliament
House.
Anti-clockwise traffic flow
16. The direction of the one-way road has been chosen to allow vehicles
using the inside lane to drop-off and pick-up passengers safely to and
from the footpath around the building.
Drop-off and pick-up after conversion to one-way road
17. The existing drop-off and pick-up points around Parliament Drive
will not change. These are marked on the attached map and were explained
in Security Circular No. 2006/3
dated 27 February 2006.
18. However, the signs for the drop-off and pick-up
points will be replaced with clearer signs as a result of feedback from
building users and others.
Further information
Road works
19. For further information on the road works, you may contact Mr Rodney
Bray on 6277 3592.
One-way road arrangements
20. Further information will be provided, through circulars and in other
ways, closer to the change-over day.
21. Queries about the one-way road arrangements may
be emailed to onewayroad@aph.gov.au
and a response will be sent as soon as possible
Hilary Penfold QC
Secretary, Department of Parliamentary Services
Chair, Parliament House Security Management Board
|
