Alfords Point Community Guide and Business Directory

Location

Alfords Point is a suburb in southern Sydney, located 28km south of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Sutherland Shire. Alfords Point shares the postcode of 2234 with neighbouring suburbs of Menai, Bangor, Barden Ridge, Illawong and located on the southern bank of the Gorges River. Alfords Point Bridge carries Alford Point Road north across the river to the suburb of Padstow Heights.

Commercial

Alfords Point has a small group of shops on Brushwood Drive.

Sport and Recreation

Alfords Point contains two sporting ovals, which are used for soccer and cricket, in local competitions. Beautiful natural bushland is abundant in this area with many walking tracks and fire trails.

Education (See Detailed List of Schools in The Shire)

Alfords Point Primary school K-6 is a community-orientated school that often hosts community events and functions. (See the detailed list of schools in The Shire).

History

Jane Alford, widow of John Alford Senior owned 50 acres of land near here in 1828. Alford was originally the name given to an area of public reserve on the bank of the Georges River.

Alfords Point Bridge duplication

In February 2007, the RTA commenced work to duplicate Alfords Point Bridge over the Georges River between Alfords Point and Padstow Heights.

The project will result in two parallel bridges for traffic in each direction and each bridge will have two lanes plus a breakdown lane.

This project is fully funded by the NSW Government.

Background

The existing three-lane Alfords Point Bridge was opened in 1973. It replaced a vehicular punt that operated between Lugarno and Illawong. At the time the existing bridge was built, the piles and abutments for a second bridge were also constructed.

Since its opening, traffic on Alfords Point Bridge has been managed by a ‘tidal flow’ system, in which two of the three lanes operate northbound during the morning peak, switching to two lanes operating southbound during the evening peak.

Bridge duplication

The new bridge will be constructed on the existing piles and abutments, and will provide two lanes for southbound traffic, and breakdown lane/shoulder and a 3.3m wide shared pedestrian and cyclist path. Once the new bridge is built, the existing bridge will be converted to two lanes for northbound traffic with a breakdown lane/shoulder.

Construction work for the bridge duplication is being undertaken by Abigroup, and is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.

Benefits

By removing the tidal flow arrangements on the Alfords Point Bridge during the morning and evening peak periods, the duplication of Alfords Point Bridge will improve road safety and traffic flow in both directions.

The new bridge has been designed to ensure it is compatible with the existing structures and will look similar to the existing bridge.