Thirroul and Towradgi’s pop-up cycleways completed

THIRROUL and Towradgi residents have now been handed the reins for their new pop-up cycleways.

Construction on both projects has finished, with Wollongong City Council now in maintenance-mode and making minor adjustments to the routes only as needed.

The pop-up cycling routes pilot is an ongoing Council project that spans four suburbs; Port Kembla, Thirroul, Towradgi and the Wollongong CBD. In each location, Council is installing location-specific traffic-calming measures, turning existing footpaths into shared paths and building on-road cycleways to encourage people of all abilities to ride a bike.

The new shared path from Thomas Gibson Park to Newbold Close connects Thirroul Railway Station to the beach. Riders are directed on-road, with signage and pavement markings to the existing cycling route in Surfers Parade.

Speed cushions, bicycle road markings and signs have been installed on Murranar Road, Carters Lane and Weber Crescent connecting Towradgi Railway Station with the northern cycleway at Towradgi Beach.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said that the Thirroul and Towradgi pop-up cycling routes provided key links from each train station to the coast.

“The pop-up cycling routes project was developed after listening to our community about cycling and how we could better improve cycling infrastructure in our city,” Cr Bradbery said.

“Starting early 2021, Council has been rolling out a number of cycling upgrades to four locations as part of the pilot program. We’re pleased to wrap-up works in two out of four suburbs and hand this project over to our community.

“We’ll be checking in with residents over the next 12 months to find out how this pilot project is working and whether we can make any additional adjustments that would improve the cycling routes.”

Thirroul residents can also now use the reopened Hewitts Creek Bridge that links Thirroul’s Hamilton Road and the Sandon Point Aboriginal Place. Starting in May 2021, Hewitts Creek Bridge was closed for six weeks so that Council could conduct essential repairs.

“The bridge’s proximity to the harsh marine environment and its popularity with residents, had caused natural wear and tear on the bridge, its structure and the handrails. We needed to complete essential works to maintain the condition of the bridge for the long-term,” Cr Bradbery said.

“Hewitts Creek Bridge is a very popular link for our Thirroul residents, and we’re pleased to share that the bridge has reopened and we are back to normal.”

Council asks all residents who use cycleways, shared paths and other cycling infrastructure to continue to follow the Public Health Order.

“We hope to see our community to continue to enjoy a bike ride, but at the same time it’s important that we all continue to do the right thing while we remain in lockdown,” Cr Bradbery said.

“If you do decide to go for a ride as your way of exercising or making essential travel, make sure you follow the Public Health Orders by socially distancing from others, sanitising your hands, checking in to businesses when asked to do so and most importantly, staying home if you feel unwell.”

For more information about this project see Council’s Pop-Up Cycling Routes page.

This project was funded by the NSW Government in association with Wollongong City Council.

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