Inner West Busway - Iron Cove Iron Cove Bridge Victoria Road upgrade Victoria Road Drummoyne Victoria Road Rozelle King

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Managing noise

Managing construction noise

Offer of temporary alternative accommodation

Managing operational noise

Quicklinks

Managing construction noise

An intense period of construction to build the Inner West Busway has begun. This construction could include disturbance to the surrounding community including noise, dust, vibration, and access impacts.

The RTA is committed to managing the impacts of construction around the local community whilst also minimising interruptions to traffic flows on Victoria Road. Because of the need to balance conflicting demands, much of the work on the road will be done out of daytime hours. The RTA recognises that this could impact a section of the local community, particularly those living on, or close to, Victoria Road.

The construction noise goal for the project is five decibels above the background noise level. However, due to the type and location of works (eg loading trucks, use of road making equipment, ripping out the concrete median strip), we can predict that this goal cannot always be met, particularly at night-time. This is why the RTA is putting in place a number of initiatives to manage this impact on residents.

These measures include:

Modifying construction activities to provide respite from the noisy works.
Managing equipment efficiently to reduce noise generation.
Programming noisy works to occur during the daytime and at night before midnight where possible.
Implementing control measures such as noise barriers, noise monitoring in residential areas and use of low noise equipment.
Appointment of an independent noise issues facilitator to ensure that noise complaints are managed effectively.
Installing permanent noise control measures to eligible properties early in the construction program.

Offer of temporary alternative accommodation

At times there will be instances when high levels of noise after midnight will be unavoidable. When this is anticipated, the RTA will offer residents who are likely to be affected by noise that exceeds the ‘project noise criteria’ temporary alternative accommodation.

The ‘project noise criteria’ is defined as being: Noise levels over 30dBA above the background noise level for at least one 15 minute continuous period, after midnight, for three or more nights in a row.

This is in accordance with the project’s Construction Noise and Vibration Management Plan. A notification with an offer of temporary alternative accommodation will be sent to these residents, most of whom live on Victoria Road, at least five days in advance of the work.

For more information refer to the fact sheet Questions and Answers - Noise and Vibration Management in the Quicklinks below.

Managing operational noise

The Inner West Busway will not increase the traffic carrying capacity or the traffic mix on Victoria Road.

However, the road alignment in the vicinity of the new bridge on the western side of Victoria Road will change. The dwellings adjacent to these works in Drummoyne and Rozelle will be closer to some traffic lanes.

Traffic noise levels are predicted to increase by only a small amount and are within the guidelines set by the Department of Climate Change.

However, some of the properties which will be closer to traffic lanes are also expected to be, or may even already be, exposed to what is termed ‘acute’ traffic noise levels.

The RTA is in contact with owners of these acutely affected properties to discuss the most appropriate noise control measures for each property.

The current RTA practice is to identify all potential noise control options such as quieter pavement surfaces, noise barriers/mounds and architectural treatments. However, not all of these treatments are suitable for every situation.

Quicklinks

Questions and Answers - Noise and Vibration Management (PDF 507.7 Kb)

Construction Noise and Vibration Management Plan (PDF 9.7 Mb)

Community Update - Noise Management

Info Day Poster - Managing Noise on the Inner West Busway

Operational Noise Report

RTA Environmental Noise Management Manual

Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise

Fact Sheet - Addressing Noise Fact Sheet

An artist impression of the new bridge over Iron Cove, Rozelle.

A cyclist on the Bay Run in Rozelle.

International Day of Mourning memorial in King George Park, Rozelle. This will be stored during construction and returned to the park following completion.