Mona Vale Road Upgrade East + West: January 2024 Update
On November 8 2023 Infrastructure NSW released the updated NSW Major Infrastructure Pipeline and the 2023-2024 State Infrastructure Plan. The 2023-2024 State Infrastructure Plan outlines drivers and market context for the NSW Government’s infrastructure program over the next five years. It provides project specific information to support transparency to industry via the NSW Major Infrastructure Pipeline.
The Mona Vale Road West upgrade project was deferred for two years following the 2023 NSW Independent Strategic Infrastructure Review.
Listed on page 21 of the 2023-2024 State Infrastructure Plan document is the Mona Vale Road West upgrade, McCarrs Creek Road to Powder Works Road showing Procurement will commence in the final Quarter of 2025 and be completed in the first Quarter of 2026, with Construction of the works to commence in the second Quarter of 2026 and be completed by the second Quarter of 2029 (estimated completion dates).
The NSW Major Infrastructure Pipeline was updated to reflect relevant projects provided for in the 2023-24 Budget, which includes a $116.5 billion infrastructure commitment over four years with a focus on delivering more schools, hospitals and public transport for the people of NSW, Infrastructure NSW (INSW) stated in a release.
Transport for NSW also confirmed to PON queries that the $25 million budget allocation announced in June 2022 wasn’t spent due to additional time required to undertake further planning investigations. The 2023-24 budget allocation of $348,000 was towards the continuation of the detailed design phase of the project.
A Transport for NSW Spokesperson stated to PON in 2023;
''Earlier this year, the NSW Government undertook an independent review of the state’s infrastructure pipeline, tasked with identifying projects and programs that should no longer proceed, be delayed or have their scope altered. As a result of this review, the Mona Vale Road West project has been deferred for two years.
Transport for NSW remains committed to the delivery of this project. ''
However following a spate of accidents on this stretch of the MVR, where it becomes a single lane between Tumburra Street and Kimbriki tip, through which residents sustained serious injuries, and the passageway was effectively blocked for hours, Pittwater MP Rory Amon tabled a question in the NSW Parliament on November 29 2023 to the Minister for Transport; ''Does the Government have any current plans to commission a safety audit of Mona Vale Road West to understand the safety risks posed by the construction site and a road which halves in width along the western section?''
The reply, given on December 22nd, was; ''I am advised: The Mona Vale Road West upgrade project is deferred for two years following the 2023 NSW Independent Strategic Infrastructure Review. Transport for NSW commissions Road Safety Audits as part of its project development stages. As the project has been deferred, there will be no Road Safety Audits for the Mona Vale Road west upgrade commissioned at this time.''
“If Labor won’t fund the $340 million upgrade now, they must assess the safety of the road and implement temporary safety measures until the road is upgraded,” Mr Amon reiterated in a release on January 17 2024
“Every injury and life lost on Mona Vale Road West from here on lays at the feet of Chris Minns and his Government. I am again calling on the Government to urgently undertake a safety audit of Mona Vale Road West and implement its recommendations immediately,” Mr Amon said.
The Pittwater MP is calling for the implementation of interim safety measures.
Residents have pointed out that when the Wakehurst Parkway is flooded and closed as a result, all those north of Narrabeen would be effectively cut off from direct access to the Northern Beaches Hospital via ambulance and the west of Sydney for the work commute should both an accident and a flood event occur at the same time.
MVR West section where it is a single lane each way between Kimbriki and Tumburra Street, Ingleside
Transport for NSW has made available the following updates regarding the MVR Upgrades.
Ingleside work area (west of Tumburra Street - the 'piles of dust') Update
As part of the works, the contractors have also been constructing a new road formation along the northern side of Mona Vale Road next to Tumburra Street at Ingleside - referred to by locals as 'the piles of dust'.
However, once the earthworks are complete, the area will be bitumen sealed and vegetation planted to minimise soil erosion. These early works will form part of the next stage of the Mona Vale Road upgrade and will prevent runoff into the adjacent Garigal park areas, local creeks and Narrabeen Lagoon.
the 'piles of dust', photo taken: January 20, 2024. images supplied
Mona Vale Road Fauna Bridge Update
Greater Sydney’s ‘first-of-its-kind’ fauna bridge will provide a safe crossing for native animals living along and near Mona Vale Road. The fauna bridge was lifted in place in August 2023. Over the past few months, the contractors have been finishing the main deck, side barriers and installed posts for the new bridge screen. In early 2024, they will extend the current ramp down into the Biodiversity Conservation Trust Land and complete the fauna crossing with landscaping on and around the bridge.
MVR East Fauna overpass, photo taken: January 20, 2024. image supplied
Change to parking –Foley Street to Bungan Street (eastbound)
The opening of four lanes along Mona Vale Road between Ponderosa Parade and Foley Street at Mona Vale has raised a safety concern where parked cars on the eastbound kerb side lane force traffic to merge.
Following community feedback, Transport for NSW have implemented daytime parking restrictions in this location from Thursday 21 December. There will be no parking from 6am to 7pm Monday to Sunday.
This change removes the need to merge from two lanes into one, east of Foley Street. This is consistent with the rest of Mona Vale Road and ensures a safer outcome for motorists, T for NSW states.
Bike lane - shared path
Following queries to the news service for an update about the bike lanes along the MVR East upgrade – to Ingleside, for which the project Page states:
‘’The key features of the Mona Vale Road East upgrade include:
- Providing three metre wide shoulders along Mona Vale Road between Manor Road and Daydream Street to allow a safer area for breakdowns and on-road cyclists
- Providing a three metre wide shared path along the northern side of Mona Vale Road for pedestrians and cyclists. This is currently being redesigned.'
PON asked for any update on when this component will be completed and what it comprises now that the project is so close to completion.
A Transport for NSW Spokesperson said:
''Transport for NSW is upgrading Mona Vale Road East to improve safety and traffic efficiency at this key road corridor, with added benefits for cyclists including widened road shoulders and a shared user path.
The shared path along Mona Vale Road from Foley Street to Lane Cove Road is currently in redesign. Transport for NSW is working with Northern Beaches Council to investigate alternative pathway route options, and advice from Pedestrian Council of Australia will be incorporated in the design. ''
What you will see in 2024
While all lanes were made available from 3pm Thursday 21 December to 6pm Sunday 7 January 2024, there are still some minor works to be complete in early 2024.
To allow for this work to be done safely and quickly, lane closures will be reinstated along Mona Vale Road. This will avoid the need for multiple lane changes and minimise disruption to traffic flows and also ensure a safe separation between the traffic and work areas.
These works include:
- completing the final asphalting layer at and near the intersections
- fauna ramp construction, landscaping and installing screens on the fauna bridge
- installing a permanent VMS board
- remaining signposting, fencing, and landscaping works.
Transport for NSW will continue to update the community and road users of traffic changes with work notifications, variable messaging signs, static signs and traffic management.
A Few Stat.s
Over the course of the MVR East Upgrade:
- 219, 156 square metres of rock has been cut - the equivalent of 88 Olympics sized pools
- 19, 000 square metres of asphalt has been laid (19km) - the equivalent of over 200 soccer fields
Mona Vale Road West Key Features
(Reviewed 23 Mar 2023)
The key features of the Mona Vale Road West upgrade include:
- Widening 3.4 kilometres of Mona Vale Road between McCarrs Creek Road and Powder Works Road from two lanes to four lanes with a central concrete safety barrier
- Providing a new traffic signal intersection at Kimbriki Road and Mona Vale Road, including additional dedicated turning lanes and a truck climbing lane
- Relocating the intersection of Mona Vale Road and Tumburra Street to the west by about 40 metres and changing access to left turn in and left turn out only
- Closing the existing intersection at Mona Vale Road and Addison Road to general traffic and restricting access to emergency vehicles only
- Constructing a new local road connection between Bungendore Street and Powder Works Road, using the existing Harvey Road corridor, and extending the new local road east of Addison Road to meet the intersection of Mona Vale Road and Powder Works Road
- Removing bus stops near the intersection of Tumburra Street and re-directing bus services along the new local road connection and Tumburra Street to serve existing and future land uses
- Providing new and improved fauna connections including a 40 metre wide fauna bridge over Mona Vale Road and two fauna underpasses
- Constructing a shared use path on the northern side of Mona Vale Road between McCarrs Creek Road and Addison Road
- Upgrading street lighting for the full length of the project
- Constructing retaining walls and/or sandstone cuttings at various locations along the alignment
- Landscaping over the length of the proposal.
Previous Reports:
- Mona Vale Road West Upgrade Has NOT Been Cancelled - December 2023
- Mona Vale Road West Upgrade Funding: $348 Thousand For Planning In 2023-24 State Budget As Government Focuses On Reconnecting Communities With NO Road - October 2023
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: September - October 2023 Pictorial Update
- Mona Vale Road (East) Upgrade: Fauna Bridge Supports Installed - August 2023
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade Update: July 2023 Pictures
- Clay Stormwater Still Polluting Bayview Golf Course, Pittwater Estuary: Bayview GC's 3 Year Battle To Save The Environment and Waterways 'Like Banging Your Head Against A Brick Wall' - May 2023
- Mural Proposed For Mona Vale Road Sound Barrier: Celebration Of Our Area Better Than Graffitied Long Grey Wall Locals State - May 2023
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade Update: April 2023 Pictures Vs. December 2022 Photos
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: October 2022 Pictorial Update
- NSW Government's Budget 2022-2023: Funds Allocated Towards Local Roads, Schools, Mental Health Support Services - Record 400 Million Dollar Budget Boost For Pittwater - June 2022
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: April 2022 Pictorial Update + Construction Update: published March 2022
- Mona Vale Road Upgrade: December 2021 Update
- Mona Vale Road Upgrade: October 2021 Pictorial Update
- Sediment Flowing Into Warriewood Creek System Reported To EPA - July 2021
- Mona Vale Road Upgrade: February 2021 Pictorial Update
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade Project: Construction Update – September 2020
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: July 2020 Pictorial Update
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: Proposed Extended Weekend Work + Road Closure For Large Boulder Removal Works - Georgiou Group is talking to the community about closing Mona Vale Road to all traffic from Manor Road to the Mona Vale Road, Ponderosa Parade and Samuel Street intersection from 7pm Friday 24 July to 5am Monday 27 July 2020, weather permitting. If there is wet weather, the closure will occur on the following weekend from 7pm Friday 31 July to 5am 3 August 2020.
- Mona Vale Road Upgrade: The Machines Helping Build The Road – For Younger Readers: This is a story about the road-building machines we included in last Issues’ Pictorial. Some of our younger Readers have asked us ‘but what’s that one and what is it used for?’ so it seems best to put it all in a page for you. We didn’t get ALL the machines being used – but here’s some insights into those we did, and a bit more, for those who want to know more - June 2020
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: May 2020 Pictures Record
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: Mid to Late February Notice and Pictorial Record of Works and Changes - February 2020
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: January 2020 Update and Photographic Record Of Works
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade Update - To December 2019: Our last day of work for 2019 will be Friday 20 December and we will return to work on Monday 6 January 2020
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade Calls In Sydney Wildlife Volunteer To Relocate Lapwing Plovers Nest: Eggs Hatch! - October to November 2019
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: October 2019 Update In Pictures
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: September 2019 Update - and Pictorial Record Of Works - September 2019
- Mona Vale Road Upgrade Update: Fauna Fencing To Be Installed During Construction + June Night Works - June 2019
- Mona Vale Road Truck Arrestor Bed Miscalculation? - report by Phil Walker and John Illingsworth/Pittwater Pathways - June 2019
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: Some Progress Photos - May 2019 Record
- Mona Vale Road Upgrade - Changed Traffic Conditions Reminder - from Office of Rob Stokes, MP for Pittwater - March 2019
- Upgrade Of Mona Vale Road East To Commence This Month - an overview of what to expect - January 2019
- Contract Awarded For Mona Vale Road Upgrade - from Office of the Hon. Rob Stokes, MP for Pittwater - November 2018
- Roads To Pittwater: The Mona Vale Road (History page) - September 2018
- Plans Accelerate For Mona Vale Road East Upgrade - June 2018
- Plans Accelerate For Mona Vale Road East Upgrade - from Office of The Hon. Rob Stokes, MP for Pittwater - March 2018
- Sydney's First Fauna Overpass To Be Installed On Mona Vale Road + RMS March 2018 Mona Vale Road update
- Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: Proposed Lease Of Land To Roads And Maritime Services (RMS) - Council Invites You to Have Your Say - November 2017
- Reducing Roadkill On Mona Vale Road by David Palmer, Pittwater Natural Heritage Association - September 2017
- Front Page Issue 330: Jumping For Joy: Fauna Crossing For Mona Vale Road Confirmed - September 2017
- Funding Secured To Commence Mona Vale Road Upgrade - June 2017
- NSW Government Funding To Commence $90M Upgrade Of Mona Vale Road East - June 2016
- Bill To Facilitate Mona Vale Road Upgrades Passes: Vital Fauna Bridge Discussed - Stage 3, Mona Vale Road Upgrade- West, one step closer - June 2016
- Angus's Onion Orchid at Ingleside?? by David Palmer, PNHA - October 2015
- Community Feedback Sought On Mona Vale Road Upgrade - November 2014
- Once Was Barrenjoey - Can Community Reduce Fauna Road Deaths - Community Consultation on stage 2 (between Mona Vale and Ingleside) for Mona Vale Road upgrades is expected to begin later this year and will also include fauna connectivity options: if you too are distressed by the growing numbers of wallabies, possums and bandicoot road deaths, supporting a few other locals may help - August 2014
- Upgrades To Start on Mona Vale Road - June 2014
- Delivering Infrastructure - Upgrading Mona Vale Road - March 2014
Background: Strategic Infrastructure Review Announced
Wednesday 10 May 2023: Infrastructure NSW
The NSW Government has announced a comprehensive and independent Strategic Infrastructure Review of the State’s infrastructure capital program.
The Strategic Infrastructure Review will focus on the successful delivery of the current pipeline and consider projects and programs in the forward capital program with an Estimated Total Cost of over $50 million to ensure maximum benefits to the state and balance fiscal, service delivery, and market capacity pressures.
Mr Ken Kanofski is conducting the review with support from Infrastructure NSW, Treasury and Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The review will identify projects and programs that can proceed to investment and delivery and those that can be delayed, re-sequenced, re-scoped or re-prioritised against the following criteria:
- Alignment to Government strategic priorities
- Project readiness and confidence
- Alignment to fundamental benefit drivers
Initial findings and recommendations will be delivered to support the 2023-24 NSW State budget. Final review report will be prepared for consideration by Cabinet.
Download the Terms of Reference.