Is this Australia’s worst road stuff-up?
It’s one of Sydney’s prime locations with a regular stream of major concerts and events, but good luck trying to get there.
Sydney Olympic Park is the notorious location of what has been dubbed Australia’s most hated roundabout.
Located at Australia Avenue and Underwood Road, the intersection had the dubious honour of being the state’s most complained about roundabout in 2015, according to Transport for NSW records.
And just a few hundred metres away is a spot that’s been named the worst merging location for accidents in NSW — the intersection of Homebush Bay Drive and the M4 Motorway.
The location frequently experiences traffic congestion caused by the roundabout, making it a “disaster” spot when trying to change lanes.
NRMA research head Robert McDonald told the Daily Telegraph: “The Homebush Bay Drive intersection with the M4 is one of the busiest routes heading west.
“It also has to contend with traffic from Flemington Markets, a major factory outlet (DFO) and Olympic Park.”
The area is also the main access route for the nearby suburbs of Wentworth Point and Newington, so even if there are no events on at Olympic Park, the roads are often jammed with traffic.
A new “g-loop” was installed last year to alleviate the problem – an access ramp funnels traffic that had previously built up while waiting to turn right from Homebush Bay Drive on to the M4, off to the left and around without the need to stop at traffic lights.
However, this has simply caused confusion for motorist with many not realising they have to be in the left lane of the multi-lane road in order to turn right. Some realise too late and end up taking risks cutting across the lanes to make the turn-off.
There is still confusion over while lane goes where, leading some drivers to ignore the road markings to make their exits.