1970: One Way tolling introduced on The Sydney Harbour Bridge

Source:  Anon. 1970. "One-way bridge toll from July 4". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 20: 5. 

From the opening of The Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 until 1970, vehicles crossing the bridge had to pay a toll in both directions. By the start of 1970, the toll cost ten cents, equivalent to $1.22 today. Relative to 2022, it was inexpensive, but still attracted complaints from motorists.

One way tolling began on July 4, 1970 with the purpose of improving the flow of northbound traffic especially during peak periods. To compensate for the loss of revenue from north bound traffic, the toll was increased to 20 cents (equivalent to $2.44 today), and would remain at that level until 1987. 

Source: Anon. 1970. "Evening Peak Tests The Bridge". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 7: 4. 

The shift to one way tolling saw the introduction of movable toll barriers that could be folded to allow for the free flow of northbound traffic in the evening, while serving southbound traffic during the morning peak. 

Source: Yeomans, J. 1970. " The Bridge gets concertina gates for one way pay". The Sun Herald, June 7: 51 & 84. 

However the doubling of the southbound toll to twenty cents saw a drop in revenue as some drivers sought to save money travelling via the Gladesville Bridge. This was anticipated as reported by The Daily Mirror.

Source: Anon. 1970. "One-way charge on Bridge". The Daily Mirror, June 23: 24.

The Daily Telegraph (21 July 1970) reported that revenue from the tolls had decreased by an average of $600 per day, meaning that annual loss of $200 000 in revenue was projected.

Source: Anon. 1970. "$600 Toll Loss Daily". The Daily Telegraph, July 21: 1.

The toll booths operated until 2009, when e-tolling was made compulsory for motorists crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. However they were not removed until 2016. Below is a video from "Ventia" that was posted on Vimeo.

The RBA Inflation Calculator was used to determine the equivalent value of the tolls in 1970 against that of 2022, adjusting for inflation. 

1964: Sydney's first ring roads

With traffic congestion increasing in Sydney roads during the 1960's, motorists needed to be guided through the metropolitan area to avoid congested urban centres. 

The response by the Main Roads Department was to create a network of ring roads. A ring road in Sydney comprised of main roads that were connected together. Ir meant that drivers could bypass Central Sydney altogether if they needed to. 

In Sydney, ring roads or "Metroads" guided drivers between 1964 and 2013. Ring roads are now alphanumerically numbered e.g. Metroad 3 is now A3. 

Below is an article published in The Daily Telegraph in 1964 which focused on the inroduction of the original ring roads. 

 

Ring Road 3 (later Metroad 3 and now A3) was the first to be commissioned. The original route largely follows the current A3 with some differences e.g. The original route went through Belfield, Strathfield and Concord as Roberts Road, Centenary Drive and Homebush Bay Drive were yet to either be converted into main roads or yet to be built. 

Two other ring roads were soon commissioned:

Ring Road 1 - Ran along the southern fringe of the Sydney CBD.

Ring Road 5 - Hurstville to Hornsby via Parramatta.

The original ring roads system lasted until 1974, when  they were incorporated into a network of State Roads. 

1985: Mount Street becomes a pedestrian mall

As part of the North Sydney Traffic Management Plan, a section of Mount Street from Miller Street through to Denison Street was closed off to traffic for shoppers in North Sydney but also to separate the through traffic from the local traffic. Instead of using Mount Street to access the Warringah Expressway from the Pacific Highway, motorists would be diverted one block north at Berry Street. This arrangement remains today.

Source: Department of Main Roads (NSW). 1985. "North Sydney Traffic" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, September 24:14-15.