Western Distributor (Sydney)
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Western Distributor New South Wales |
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| Eastbound traffic on the Western Distributor traveling into the Sydney CBD | |
| Type | Freeway |
| Length | 3.8 km (2.4 mi) |
| Opened | 1972 |
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| East end | |
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| West end | |
| Major suburbs / towns | Sydney, Pyrmont, Rozelle |
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Highways in Australia National Highway • Freeways in Australia Highways in New South Wales |
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A4
Metroad 4 (?-2013)
State Route 40 (?-2013)
The Western Distributor is a 3.8-kilometre-long (2.4 mi)grade-separated freeway that is primarily elevated for the majority of its route on the western fringe of the Sydney central business district in New South Wales, Australia. From its northern terminus, it links the southern end of the Bradfield Highway at the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Victoria Road in Rozelle, at its western terminus near White Bay. The freeway is designated as part of the A4 for its entire distance.
The Western Distributor came to be out of the realization in the early 1960s that the existing roads that supported the Harbour Bridge would not cope with contemporary and projected traffic volumes. Due to existing infrastructure and buildings in the area, it was decided to build a viaduct to carry traffic above the city streets. The Western Distributor was opened in stages starting in September 1972, with the last stage being the Anzac Bridge which was opened in December 1995. The distributor also replaces the former congested route out of the city via the Pyrmont Bridge (closed in 1988) and the Glebe Island Bridge (closed in 1995 with the opening of Anzac Bridge).
The north-eastbound viaduct ramps leading towards Bradfield Highway, designed in 1967, was widened from 19 to 30 metres (62 to 98 ft) to accommodate a deck with a variable width from 2.3 to 5.5 metres (7 ft 7 in to 18 ft 1 in) and consists of a steel structure supported on reinforced concrete corbels.
Under the Western Distributor viaduct ramps at its northern end, between Sussex and Kent streets, there is an abandoned carriageway underneath the main roadway. It is a short section of elevated freeway; the top tier remains in constant use but the lower is suspended in the air; having been severed at each end.
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Wikipedia