The Federal Government have recently announced $95.6 million in funding towards the planning and scoping of Picton Bypass and Picton Road projects. The funding is part of a commitment to state infrastructure in the Federal Budget, aimed at creating jobs, improving commuter safety and driving economic growth. The announcement follows strong advocacy by Council and the community.

As construction on the Bypass is likely to be some years away, it’s important for Council to manage the traffic congestion in Picton in the meantime. The measures outlined in the Picton Town Centre Transport Master Plan will alleviate traffic stress and continue to serve our local roads even after the Picton Bypass has been completed.

Council has worked on developing concepts that we were confident would meet Transport for NSW (TfNSW) requirements (noting Menangle Street is a state owned road).

In April 2019 an informal session was held with residents as well as a drop in session, which were well attended. 

At its meeting of 22 February 2022, Council Resolved (in part) to:

Undertake further community consultation on the Prince St & Menangle St and Prince St and Argyle St intersection designs and any potentially viable alternative options that will consider:
a. On and Off-street parking impacts
b. Impacts to nearby residents and business premises
c. Access to resident driveways
d. Road and pedestrian Safety
e. Costs of any design implementation
f. Heritage impacts
g. Ensuring that future traffic demands can be met with any proposed design to ensure a service level of E or better by 2026 and into the future
h. TfNSW approval requirements and Council’s Traffic Committee approval as may be required.

Council is currently taking Expressions of Interest for the upcoming Community Engagement Workshops, scheduled for May 2022. To find out more, visit https://www.yoursay.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/ 

Options such as a roundabout on Menangle Street or a complete closure of Prince Street have been considered and were found to be either impractical or likely to worsen congestion issues.

Improved pedestrian connectivity was an important consideration in the plan, an issue which only traffic signals would remedy at the Menangle/Prince St intersection.

To find out more about the different options investigated and the reasons they weren't pursued, view the Community Forum presentation of 15 February 2022  for detailed insights.

The short to medium term issue is the quantity of traffic (rather than speed) that will become un-manageable if we do nothing. However, residents are encouraged to request a speed zone review. You can do so at any time by visiting https://www.saferroadsnsw.com.au/haveyoursay.aspx  

Council and various community members have requested a speed zone review of Menangle Street numerous time without success.

The concepts being put forward to improve the safety conditions on Picton’s roads take into consideration the town’s heritage. Want to know more? If you would like further details or have any concerns about this project, please contact Council’s Infrastructure Coordinator on 46771100. Further information can also be found online at: https://www.yoursay.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/picton-transport-study 

In developing the Picton Town Centre Transport Master Plan, options for the Prince/Menangle Street Intersection were thoroughly workshopped given the significance of the proposal. A range of options were investigated in detail, including a roundabout and converting Prince St to one way. These alternate options were found to be impractical or worsen congestion issues.

As well as improving traffic flow, the signalisation of Prince/Menangle Street (unlike other options) will improve the long-standing issue of pedestrian connectivity, which we are pleased to remedy for the community.

Please see below the current draft design, pending approval from TfNSW. You can also download the image here. 

View the Detailed Design Report for Intersection Upgrades at Prince St.