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Order and safety from chaos

In recognition of its school bus interchange and pedestrian underpass project, Lismore City Council took out the Overall Runner-Up award, at the Annual IPWEA Awards for Excellence in Local Government.

As one judge commented, “This is an example of the Council engineers and the road safety officer working together with schools and bus operators to find a solution to the chaotic conditions that had developed over time adjacent to the schools. It really required an inspection during the period immediately before, during and after school hours to appreciate the traffic conditions that existed.”

The project involved extensive community consultation and meetings with stakeholders over a period of more than five years. There was concurrence on a final solution, which was acceptable to all.

The following engineering treatments were put in place.

• An underpass of the State Road to connect to schools
• Closure of two public streets adjacent to the CBD
• Construction of a 30 bus interchange
• Construction of a roundabout.

A systematic investigation of the problems and consideration of the alternative solutions with all stakeholders led to the removal of a number of traffic hazards. Conflicts between the school children and vehicles have been reduced and the efficiency of bus movements greatly enhanced.

Another interesting feature of the project is the use of centre line marking in the pedestrian underpass, to facilitate the movement of students between the schools during class change overs.

For further information contact Lismore City Council Manager Design Services, Gary Rees, on (02) 6625 0500.

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