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to the left heading east 200metres
In November 2017 the community was invited to 'have its say' on the council's proposed lease of lands connected with the Mona Vale road upgrades.
Construction tenders were to be advertised shortly and contractors selected early the following year, 2018.
On February 28 2018 the Member for Pittwater announced the NSW Roads and Maritime Services is progressing plans for the upgrade of Mona Vale Road East, between Ingleside and Mona Vale, with tenders for the project now invited
In March 2018 the then RMS announced a $7.5 million animal crossing overpass would be built along Mona Vale Road West this week. The 40-metre Mona Vale Road West overpass will link Ku-ring-gai and Garigal National Parks. Fauna exclusion fencing will prevent the animals crossing elsewhere.
On Tuesday January 29th 2019 the contractor was to commence preliminary works such as installing traffic controls, such as barriers, signs, linemarking, setting up the site compound for the project team and delivering materials and equipment to site. Preliminary works were to include removing trees, shrubs and other vegetation on both sides of Mona Vale Road between Daydream Street, Mona Vale, and Lane Cove Road, Ingleside.
In March 2019 the MP for Pittwater reminded residents of a 60k/h speed limit had been introduced as the project was underway.
In May 2019 Pittwater Online News ran the first of a series of pictorial updates and updates from the RMS, soon to become Transport for NSW. This was to place on record these historic changes to this road and the implications changes have for a community. This had been preceded by a celebratory History page as the commencement of works finally became imminent, Roads To Pittwater: The Mona Vale Road in September 2018.
This timeline records the progress from an idea in 2011 to early concept designs in October 2014 to June 2016 planning and surveys to a January 2019 commencement of works, along with the finessing of details such as the truck arrestor bed and installing fauna exclusion fencing along the work site. The processes of upgrading already in place roads, and finding money to allocate towards the escalating costs of the same in annual budgets, is not changeable whichever political party wins government and works as the incumbents for the whole of a state's population.
In June 2022 the MP for Pittwater announced more than $400 million has been secured in the NSW Budget to progress Pittwater’s major infrastructure projects. This included $340 million over the next 4 years to upgrade Mona Vale Road West, or around $85 million dollars a year, with $25.0 million allocated for a 2022-23 spend.
Work on the, by then, announced as a $250 million Mona Vale Road East project, was expected to be completed within the next 12 months, with the latest, September 2023 Update, stating the contractors are on track to be done by late December this year.
The Mona Vale Road West Upgrade entails upgrading 3.4 kilometres of Mona Vale Road from two lanes to four lanes between McCarrs Creek Road, Terrey Hills and Powder Works Road, Ingleside.
However, what that $25 million spent on Mona Vale West upgrade works from June 2022 to June 2023 is hard to see in driving from the Baha'i temple to the western end of McCarrs Creek road. The piles of dirt alongside the road, all moved from the East upgrade by the contractors for that section, seem to have grown taller, but little else appears to have been done for that $25 million investment. Nor has any announcement been made about who has done that $25 million dollars worth of work or when they were awarded the contract.
Perhaps it's a Dickensian thing - piles of dust and what's going on behind them - a mystery withheld from we obtuse regular folk. Perhaps that $25 million was spent on concept designs, and sculptural maintenance of the piles of dust.
How much was being allocated in the Coalitions 2023-24 Budget of the remaining $315 million, should another term have been won, and what that allocation would be spent on had not been announced.
Dickens' pile of dust from Our Mutual Friend
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Mona Vale Road West's growing piles of dust, courtesy of the Mona Vale East upgrade
The new incoming government has said numerous times since taking charge that NSW is in serious debt across all its government departments. Announcement after announcement has stated the books are not good, that the previous government intended to borrow billions more to balance them, and the state has serous financial problems. As one instance, on June 17 2023 the NSW Government announced it had been hit with a $669 million bill from December 2022 to prop up the state’s beleaguered insurance schemes, in order to guarantee protection for injured public sector workers.
''The emergency funding adds to a list of woes directly linked to the former Liberal-National administration’s mishandling of the NSW Insurance and Care (icare) scheme.'' the statement reads
This list included, per the new government:
- Using premiums to pay a US Republican Party operative $700,000 to work in a Liberal Treasurer’s office.
- Overseeing an $18 million contract awarded to a Liberal Party printer and major donor.
- Introducing a claims management model which both injured workers and businesses agree was a disaster.
- Allowing $4 million in bonuses to go to eight top executives in 2018, despite losing $873 million the same year.
The rescue package represented the latest budget black hole to be discovered in the books inherited by the Minns Government, it was stated. This followed revelations that more than 1000 public hospital nursing roles went unfunded by the previous government, as did Active Kids, Cyber Security, out-of-home care for vulnerable children and emergency fire trails programs.
The Minns ministry announced prior to being elected, and ever since, their priorities for infrastructure are to spend where it works have been neglected and are most needed, and in terms of roads and transport, that is; to and from where homes are being built in the western suburbs of Sydney. The $10 billion Beaches Link tunnel for developers to funnel more cars to Frenchs Forest for thousands of units and houses has been canned, and the now costing $25 billion inherited Metro West project is being scrutinised.
The 2023-24 Budget does include $72.3 billion for new and improved transport infrastructure; a $9.8 billion package to build and upgrade schools and TAFE campuses, including $26,062,000 allocated to the Narrabeen North Public School and Narrabeen Sports High School Upgrades - upgrades now listed at an estimated total cost of $53,900,000; $2.5 billion to recruit and retain healthcare workers; a $2.2 billion Housing and Infrastructure Plan, including the $348,000 for MVR West planning; and $1.8 billion for Renewable Energy Zones and the Energy Security Corporation.
In recent weeks there have been three accidents along this stretch of Mona Vale road. A fundraiser for Bilgola residents who were injured on Monday October 9 has been launched in recent days. Two cars and a garbage truck collided head-on. A gentle man aged in his 70s sustained hip, chest and leg injuries while a man in his late teens had leg injuries, NSW Ambulance said. Two women were also taken to North Shore hospital.
Live Traffic Sydney advised close to 4pm that the road was closed following a collision at 3.30 - and at 9.48pm that it had reopened. Drivers were advised to take an alternative route. Fortunately McCarrs Creek Road between Pittwater and Terrey Hills, along with frequently flooded Wakehurst Parkway, were still open.
On October 10 NSW Premier Chris Minns joined ABC Radio Sydney Mornings with Sarah Macdonald and a 'Dave' (begins at 48:50)rang to ask 'why the premier had cut the final funding for the extension of Mona Vale road' - obviously not aware of what had been allocated in 2022-23 ($25 million) and 2023-24 ($348,000).
Where 'Dave' has been told the funding has been cut or cancelled may be found circulating on social media.
'Dave' went on to state that 42 thousand cars use Mona Vale road daily, the average daily traffic volume, including weekends, was approximately 36,000 vehicles in 2017 (per Mona Vale Road Upgrade West Traffic and Transport Assessment January 2017 - REF Appendix E) and that the Premier 'wanted people to move onto the beaches, it's a dedicated blackspot, but you'll spend a hundred million on easy access for bikes on the Harbour bridge' and 'are you against the northern beaches?'.
Premier Chris Minns replied they they are not against the northern beaches and that he is sympathetic towards the northern beaches, it doesn't have the public transport links that the northwest and inner north part of Sydney does. Mr. Minns went on to explain the Beaches Link had been discontinued because the government has a massive budget deficit in NSW, 180 billion dollars worth of debt, the largest ever recorded, and that money available had been redirected to where it is needed, including the massive amount allocated in the first Budget announced by the incumbents, with a focus on public transport.
Mr. Minns stated this was so they could get a greater number of people circulating through the city without relying on the road network, and he can't raise taxes at the moment (due to families already struggling to make ends meet).
Host Sarah Macdonald asked why Mona Vale road widening has been reduced. Mr. Minns stated money had been redirected towards regional roads, still being repaired after recent flooding. A transcript provides:
The widening on Mona Vale Road West may currently be $348 thousand granted for planning this 2023-24 financial year, due to getting those still recovering elsewhere from having no road reconnected according to the NSW Premier, with funds allocated under the prior government reduced as a result, but there has been no announcement that this upgrade has been cut or 'cancelled'.
What residents may now become more curious about is where the $25 million given for this section in the previous 2022-23 financial year was spent or went, especially since the 2023-24 allocation is still at the 'planning' phase and there is nothing alongside the road or on it through this 3.4k's, apart from the piles of dust growing bigger opposite Kimbriki tip.
Long-term residents recall writing letters and asking successive governments for an upgrade of Mona Vale road around 50 years ago. Although this puts the 2014 to 2019 achievements of Rob Stokes into stark relief as a seemingly quickly realised infrastructure, even this Liberal member for Pittwater, as part of a then Liberal -National incumbent government, had a local project he championed that was still required to be put into the state system and go through processes, including waiting until an allocation of funds over several budget years and annual stage-of-works costs could be met.
The diverting of funds to meet more immediate needs from where they had first been allocated is not unique. New South Wales residents have had recent experience of this through Covid lockdowns and 'stay-at-home' financial support, and the debt that has resulted.
Older records attest to there being no wire for shark netting at Bayview pool during World War Two, for example, because all the wire had been collected for the war effort. Prior to that, Warringah Shire Council had to apply for employment relief grants to maintain roads or divert watercourses during the cash-strapped 1930's.
If we look further into the past of the Main Road now named 'Mona Vale', the renewal of infrastructure goes into the queue and eventually reaches the front of the line, unless a flood, fire, famine, economic depression or epidemic diverts funding from it until that project can be taken up again:
The Old Gordon-Rocklily Road
The old road to Gordon from Mona Vale is at present in a very bad condition. About twenty years ago it was a fairly good road, but now trees grow in the middle of it. Cart-wheels sometimes sink to the axle. This was a proper Government roadway. It was made by the Government not much over twenty years ago, and it is said that it partly owed its origin to ideas of military strategy. The residents in the vicinity are about to get up a big petition to have it put in good order again. They say it is impossible to drive a vehicle upon it. For five or six miles from Gordon many orchards are seen. The whole distance from Gordon to Mona Vale or Rock Lily is 16 miles. There is an opening here for a line of coaches—or at any rate there will be when settle meat has increased. The road could be easily improved, especially from Station Hill. At Folly Rock 2 1/2 miles from Rock Lily the road is very bad. The Old Gordon- Rocklily-road. (1906, July 21). The Mosman Mail (NSW : 1898 - 1906), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article247014780
WARRINGAH. At a meeting of the Warringah Shire Council the clerk presented a statement showing a credit balance of £538. He stated that although the ordinances and regulations were somewhat intricate, they proved invaluable assistance to him in his work. Contracts were let for the supply of 300 yards of metal, and for the clearing and forming of part of Gordon road, to Messrs. Oliver and Whitney respectively. WARRINGAH. (1907, July 17). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14834033
Warringah Shire Council seeking tenders for the work to improve and even build this road from the Mona Vale end are throughout that council's records:
13th December 1907; it was decided to call for fresh tenders for the clearing of Gordon road from west end of Mona Vale Cemetery to Larkins. ('Larkins' was the Waratah Farm, near and comprising the former Ingleside Powder Works)
Mr. Joe Pearson, who travelled, over the road from Rocklily to St. Ives a few days ago, says that the road is being Improved, but it will be some time before It Is in a good condition. At any time the best way to travel would be from St. Ives to Rocklily as the grades in places are some-what severe, there being a rise up Foley’s Hill of 600ft. In three miles, when there is a fall of about 100ft in the next mile, after which the ascent of 'Tumbledown Dick' is made, 250ft being the rise In a little over one mile. As several sandy patches are met on the Journey, they make the ascent rather severe, but by going the way recommended they should not be so troublesome. It Is a pity that greater efforts are not made to make the road, better, as some of the views from various parts are charming. In fact there are not many better around Sydney. CYCLING AND MOTORING. (1911, June 8). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114138913
Fast forward a few decades:
Mona Vale road at Tumble Down Dick hill, February 18, 1938, Courtesy NSW State Records and Archives, item: FL3607190
Background
The detailed design work for Mona Vale Rd West continues, the project itself has been placed under review. Prior to the release of the NSW Budget for 2023-24 on September 19 2023, The Hon. John Graham, NSW Minister for Roads, acknowledged the review and noted that the project’s fate will be determined based on the findings.
In September 2023 it was confirmed the project has been deferred for two years.
The NSW Government's Budget 2022-2023 allocated 25 million towards the MVR West upgrade project. No details on what that 25 million was spent on have been provided - a query has been sent.
See report in June 2022 Issue 544:
Much of the investigations work for the project had been completed by 2017.
Mona Vale Road Upgrade – Project update - March 2018 - Map from RMS March 2028 Update
All Mona Vale West project documents at:
Includes; Reports
- December 2017 submissions report - December 2017 Mona Vale Road West Upgrade McCarrs Creek Road, Terrey Hills to Powder Works Road, Ingleside.
- Review of Environmental Factors report, February 2017 review of environmental factors report
- Review of Environmental Factors main report and Appendices A to C.
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Volume 2.
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Volume 3.
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Volume 4.
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix C - Stage 1 Contamination Assessment.
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix D - Surface Water Strategy Hydrology and Hydraulics Report (Part 1).
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix D - Surface Water Strategy Hydrology and Hydraulics Report (Part 2).
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix D - Surface Water Strategy Hydrology and Hydraulics Report (Part 3).
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix E - Traffic and Transport Assessment.
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix F - Aboriginal Heritage.
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix G - Heritage Assessment.
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix H - Landscape character, urban design and visual impact statement (part 1).
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix H - Landscape character, urban design and visual impact statement (part 2).
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix I - Noise and Vibrations Assessment (part 1).
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix I - Noise and Vibrations Assessment (part 2).
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix J - Socio-economic impact assessment.
- February 2017 review of environmental factors report Appendix K - Biodiversity Assessments of Significance.
Preferred option reports
- August 2013 preferred options report Mona Vale Road Upgrade McCarrs Creek Road to Powder Works Road.
- August 2013 preferred options report Appendix 1 - Community consultation report.
- August 2013 preferred options report Appendix 2 - Constructability assessment.
- August 2013 preferred options report Appendix 3 - Value management workshop report.
- August 2013 preferred options report Appendix 4 - Urban design strategy (part 1).
- August 2013 preferred options report Appendix 4 - Urban design strategy (part 2).
Options reports
- October 2012 options report Mona Vale Road Upgrade.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 1.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 1.1.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 5.1.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 5.2.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 5.3.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 5.4.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 5.5.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 5.6.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 5.7.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 6.1.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 6.2.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 6.3.
- October 2012 options report Options report - Figure 6.4.
- October 2012 options report Appendix 1 - Community consultation summary report.
- October 2012 options report Appendix 2 - Prelimimary geotechnical assessment.
- October 2012 options report Appendix 3 - Non-indigenous heritage assessment (part 1).
- October 2012 options report Appendix 3 - Non-indigenous heritage assessment (part 2).
- October 2012 options report Appendix 6 - Strategic assessment of utilities.
August 2018 Mona Vale Road West Community Notification of works
Survey and investigation work on McCarrs Creek Road and Mona Vale Road, Terrey Hills and Ingleside, from Monday 13 August, 2018
The NSW Government is upgrading the Mona Vale Road. To support the planning of this project further investigation works are required. This project is being staged to provide customers with a better travelling experience and to improve safety and traffic efficiency.
Roads and Maritime Services will carry out further survey, geotechnical and utility investigation work along parts of McCarrs Creek Road, Mona Vale Road, Wirreanda Road, Addison Road and Bahai Temple Way from Monday 13 August.
The survey, geotechnical and utility investigation work will be carried out from Monday 13 August until the end of 2018, weather permitting. The work will be carried out during standard working hours between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Some night work may be required to minimise the impact to motorists and other road users. We will notify affected residents in advance of any night work.
The work will involve:
- potholing and searching for utilities
- topographical surveying
- pavement and geotechnical investigating.
We have included a map to show the location of the work:
Next steps (webpage updated February 8 2023)
Transport for NSW are continuing to prepare the detailed design for Mona Vale Road West, between McCarrs Creek Road, Terrey Hills, and Powder Works Road, Ingleside.
Construction will commence when funding becomes available.
Key features
- The key features of the Mona Vale Road West upgrade include:
- Widening 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.