Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and Member for Bega Andrew Constance, Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock, Member for Kiama Gareth Ward and Member of the Legislative Council Paul Green today announced more than $1.5 billion has been secured in the NSW State Budget to deliver major upgrades on the Princes Highway.
Major projects to be delivered include the Albion Park Rail bypass, the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade, and the Batemans Bay Bridge replacement, which together will greatly improve travel times and save lives.
The NSW Government has also entered into a 50:50 funding agreement with the Commonwealth Government to deliver the $310 million replacement of the Nowra Bridge over the Shoalhaven River at Nowra.
Mr Constance said this was an important investment in the region and will improve safety and travel times for the local community and tourists to the region.
“The Princes Highway is our region’s main transportation spine with communities and businesses from Wollongong to the Victorian border relying on and travelling the highway daily,” Mr Constance said.
Mrs Hancock said the NSW Government has entered into a funding agreement with the Australian Government, with $155 million secured for a new bridge across the Shoalhaven River at Nowra.
“This is a great win for the local community who are now one step closer to seeing the new Nowra Bridge and upgrade of the surrounding intersections become a reality.
“Once complete the new four lane bridge will significantly reduce congestion and the upgrades at the busy Illaroo Road, Bolong Road, Pleasant Way and Bridge Road intersections will improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike,” Mrs Hancock said.
Concept Design and Review of Environmental Factors which will go on display for community and stakeholder comment in the last quarter of this year, with work likely to begin in the second half of 2020.
Mr Ward said the NSW Government is providing up to $630 million in funding for the design and construct of the Albion Park Rail bypass, with the tender expected to be awarded in the next month.
“Motorists will avoid up to 16 intersections, which will improve road safety as well as travel times by up to 30 per cent.
“It’s full steam ahead for this project, with early work to reconfigure the Croom Regional Sporting Complex under way since March.
“A further $450 million provided by the NSW Government will fund the upgrade of the Princes Highway between Berry and Bomaderry.
“When completed, it will be the final piece of more than 30 kilometres of highway upgraded between Gerringong and Bomaderry since work started in 2012,” Mr Ward said.
The construction contract for the 10.5 kilometre highway upgrade project was awarded in May 2018.
The NSW Government has also committed more than $250 million towards replacing the Batemans Bay Bridge on the Princes Highway in the Bega electorate.
“We announced the preferred tenderer and design for the new Batemans Bay Bridge in May this year with the project expected to be shovel ready by early next year,” Mr Constance said.
Member of the Legislative Council Paul Green said he has been committed to seeing the delivery of the Princes Highway since he was first elected to office in 2011.
“As the former Mayor of Shoalhaven I know how vital the Princes Highway is to our community, visitors, businesses and economy,” Mr Green said.
“Today I am pleased to see the confirmation of funding for the proposed third crossing of the Shoalhaven River, this will potentially turbocharge our economy. I look forward to continuing to work with the community to get the best option for the crossing – we want nothing but the gold standard for our city.”