Sydney’s busiest bike route is closer to having a separated cycleway with construction works on the Oxford and Liverpool streets project now underway.
Once complete, the nearly 1km cycleway will give thousands of daily riders a two-way link between the city centre and eastern suburbs, greatly improving the safety and enjoyment of riding.
Our Oxford Street west project involves construction between Castlereagh Street and Taylor Square, while the state government’s Oxford Street east project will be built between Taylor Square and Paddington Gates.
“Oxford Street is our most popular street for riding, but it also has the most reported bike crashes of any street in our area. This dedicated cycleway will give thousands of people confidence to safely get around on two wheels,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.
“This important project will also calm traffic, create a buffer that makes the footpath more pleasant and increase the number of people using the street, all of which will make Oxford Street an even more vibrant part of our city.”
What to expect when the cycleway is finished
The cycleway will run along the northern side of Liverpool Street and Oxford Street between Castlereagh Street and Taylor Square, with the works including:
- a separator kerb between the cycleway and the eastbound traffic lanes
- new garden beds, street furniture and continuous footpath treatments
- upgrading nine signalised intersections and pedestrian crossings
- new signs and line marking
- stormwater drainage works
- minor changes to parking and loading
- minor changes to street lighting
- minor modifications to the location of bus stops.
Construction will be staged to minimise disruption and will begin on the Liverpool Street section of the project, between Elizabeth and College streets.
The Oxford Street west project is one part of an essential link in the state government’s strategic vision for connecting people riding between the eastern suburbs and the city centre. The City of Sydney expects the work between Taylor Square and Castlereagh Street to be completed by the end of the year, weather and other conditions permitting.
Castlereagh Street works
Since August 2023, we’ve been busy extending the Castlereagh Street cycleway from Liverpool Street to King Street, while making it a more pleasant place to walk.
The 3m-wide extension of the footpath between Liverpool and Bathurst streets is now open. There’s more space to walk and extra street furniture to sit and relax on.
Part of that work has also included installing new street lighting and tree pits ahead of planting in the cooler months of the year..
We’ve also installed the separator kerb along this section which is an important step before creating the separated cycleway.
The Castlereagh Street cycleway and footpath extension works are expected to be completed by the end of the year, but already businesses have been enthusiastic about the upgraded space. Four hospitality businesses have already applied for outdoor dining.
Published 8 March 2024
