Sydney Road Improvement Project

We’ve created a survey so you can tell us what you think of Sydney Road now, and what you would like to see in the future.

Project update

Thank you to the 7,040 people who provided their feedback on five concept designs over three weeks in June and July 2019. We had an overwhelming response and we are grateful to everyone who gave their time and feedback.  

The online survey and community sessions have now closed. We will share what we’ve heard once the community feedback has been thoroughly analysed.

You can view the five concept options by clicking on the links below:

• Option 1A - Kerbside raised tram stops with no other changes along Sydney Road, some parking lost at tram stop locations only [JPEG 903 Kb].
• Option 1B - Kerbside tram stops with no other changes along Sydney Road, some parking lost at tram stop locations only [JPEG 763 Kb].
• Option 2 - Raised tram stops with dedicated tram lane in peak periods (in peak direction), no change outside peak periods [JPEG 876 Kb].
• Option 3 - Raised tram stops with continuous protected bicycle lane, extended widened footpaths and removal of parking in sections with protected bicycle lane [JPEG 1 Mb].
• Option 4 - Raised tram stops with partially protected kerbside bicycle lane, wider footpaths at select locations, parking banned for wide kerbside bicycle lane during peak periods [JPEG 969 Kb].

To receive a copy of the report, please sign up via the link on this page.

Project background

Sydney Road is a bustling shopping, entertainment and transport corridor, used by cars, pedestrians, cyclists and trams each day. Stretching north from Park Street, in Brunswick to Bell Street in Coburg, Sydney Road spans four kilometres.

In the five-year period to December 2018, there was a total of 223 casualty crashes between Park Street and Bell Street. Of those, 90 accidents involved cyclists, 23 were the result of car dooring, and one life was lost in March 2015. 

As a result, the Sydney Road Improvement Project was developed to identify possible safety improvements for all road users.  

VicRoads is using the Movement and Place framework to balance the limited road space along Sydney Road, identify new ways to move people, and support places where people work, play and stay. 

See more information about Movement & Place.   

Sydney Road co-design group

In early 2017, VicRoads coordinated a co-design group consisting of representatives from key stakeholder groups with an interest in Sydney Road including:

• Department of Transport (DoT)
• City of Moreland
• Coburg Traders Association
• RACV
• Revitalise Sydney Road
• VicRoads
• Yarra Trams
• Sydney Road Brunswick Association
• Bicycle Network Victoria

The co-design group worked collaboratively to propose ideas with the potential to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and public transport users. VicRoads is now seeking feedback on these proposals, to help us make decisions about Sydney Road in the future.