MOTORISTS are flouting road rules by using a newly-built pedestrian and bus bridge which cuts the peak hour commute from Wentworth Point to Rhodes to just 19 seconds.

The $63 million privately-owned Bennelong Bridge across Homebush Bay has been open for only three weeks but has already become Sydney’s newest rat-run.

Vehicles have been spotted making the dash across the bridge which comprises two transit lanes reserved for buses and emergency vehicles, plus a shared pedestrian-cycle path.

It’s a short 330 metre long journey versus nearly eight kilometres around on the roads around the bay and is proving irresistible to drivers keen to avoid the 30-minute peak-hour traffic snarls on Australia Avenue and its notorious roundabout.

media_camera This bridge can save motorists half an hour in travel time — but only until August. Picture: John Appleyard

media_camera The rat run shaves off many minutes.

The bridge has Do Not Enter signs and signs at the entrances but planned transit lane cameras are yet to be installed to catch offenders who risk fines of $319 per trip.

Inner West Courier staff witnessed two cars driving over the bridge last week and local residents groups say they are aware of the problem.

media_camera Cars driving illegally on the Bennelong Bridge in Homebush Bay.

Wentworth Point Community Central president Bronwyn Evans said while there were only a few offenders at present, it was not sustainable.

“The residential streets would not be able to cope with the volume if people were allowed to drive across the bridge,” Ms Evans said.

“If you were the only one doing it, it would be great — but if everyone did, it wouldn’t work.”

A Roads and Maritime Services spokeswoman said transit lane cameras were expected to be operational by August. Until then anyone caught driving illegally could face fines but only if police catch them.

“Anyone caught illegally driving in a transit lane faces a fine of $319 and one licence demerit point,” the spokeswoman said.

media_camera Cyclists in the transit lane on the Bennelong Bridge at Rhodes. Picture: Craig Wilson

Bennelong Bridge was opened to great fanfare just three weeks ago as thousands of people flocked over it on foot, bicycle or by taking the public bus.

It offers residents of Wentworth Point access to Rhodes shopping district and train station and an alternative to the congestion of Australia Ave, Homebush Bay Dr and the M4 motorway.

It was funded by four development companies, took 15 months to build and is off limits to private vehicles, taxis, hire cars and motorbikes.

media_camera A bus crosses Bennelong Bridge at Rhodes. Picture: Craig Wilson

Ms Evans also said she believed for safety reasons cyclists should be allowed to use the bus lane rather than the bridge’s pedestrian way.

“We’re not talking about a kid on a dinky,” Ms Evans said.

“Proper cyclists should be on the road, not where people are walking — the buses don’t go that fast or that often anyway.”

THE BENNELONG BRIDGE

■ The Bennelong Bridge cuts the distance between Rhodes and Wentworth Point from 8km to 330m.

■ Traffic on Australia Ave, Homebush Bay Dr and the M4 can sometimes stretch the trip time to 30 minutes between Rhodes and Wentworth Point.

■ Bus services over the Bennelong Bridge provide Wentworth Point residents with rail and ferry connections in Rhodes.

■ The bridge also has the capacity to carry light rail in the future.