Description

This article is from the soc.culture.australian FAQ, by Stephen Wales with numerous contributions by others.

10.4 Roads

* Sydney [BJ]

Roads in Sydney are a mixed bag. Some are atrociously potholed or
rough, simply buckling under the sheer pounding of thousands of cars
and trucks each day. Others (such as the new privately run Tollways)
are extremely smooth, fast, and beautifully landscaped (some call them
'yuppieways').

There are seven main arterial links in Sydney called "Metroroads".
These roads follow a freeway or tollway if there is one, or the
largest main route (usually 6 lanes) if there isn't. They are
excellently signposted and the route number is indicated by a single
digit in a white hexagon.

There are five radial links into the city centre, namely Metroroads
1,2,4 and 5. M1 runs from north to south and goes right through the
CBD (actually through the Harbour Tunnel), and so forms a link in each
direction. There are also two ring links (Metroroads 3 and 7), with
M3 at a radius of about 10 km from the CBD, and M7 about 20 km. M6
doesn't exist yet.

Away from the Metroroads are State Roads. These are main roads that
form feeders to the Metroroads, are usually at least 4 lanes, and are
also generally well signposted. Route numbers are indicated by a 2 or
3 digit number in a blue shield.

Away from State Roads, you're in suburban territory. Signposting is
optional. Take your street directory.

* Canberra [TN]

Canberra has very good schools, roads, services etc. Your day to day
life is without many of the hassles of bigger cities. The traffic is
light (except for peak 10-minutes, rather than peak-hour), and most
main roads are devoted to being roads, and don't have houses, shops
etc on them (this makes it safer for bicyclists and motorcycles).
This can make Canberra look empty to the uninitiated.

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