THE half-billion dollar Princes Highway Foxground and Berry bypass has taken another step forward with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure announcing the project start date has been brought forward.
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Work on the half billion dollar project wasn’t to begin until 2015, but Roads and Maritime Services has now presented the latest design changes to the Department of Planning for assessment.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward said the project was the largest ever single investment in the history of the Princes Highway.
“More than 250 submissions were received from the community, interest groups and stakeholders in response to the display of the environmental assessment in November and December last year,” Mr Ward said.
“The submissions have been considered by Roads and Maritime Services and responses are documented in the report.”
RMS has shortlisted two tenderers, Fulton Hogan, which is building the Gerringong Toolijooa duplication, and a joint venture between the Abi Group and Nace.
Nace is the contractor working on the widening of the highway through South Nowra.
Completion of the project will mean there will be a minimum of four lanes between Sydney and Berry by 2018.
RMS has refined the concept design in response to the issues raised in submissions and feedback, including keeping Victoria Street open with a two-way connection between Queen and Victoria streets and a southbound on-ramp south of Victoria Street.
The design for the Schofields Lane junction has also been altered to allow both northbound and southbound access via a vehicular underpass.
Affected properties on the eastern side of the upgraded highway will be connected to the underpass.
Part of the refined design includes an underpass connection between Gembrook Lane and the interchange at Tindalls Lane.
This provides properties on Gembrook Lane with direct access to the interchange at Tindalls Lane and eliminates additional travel to the interchange at Austral Park Road.
Other design refinements include a new combined flood mitigation and vehicular underpass located between Tindalls Lane and Austral Park Road and the removal of the heavy vehicle turnaround facility proposed as part of the Austral Park Road extension.
The road geometry has also been improved at two locations, the Town Creek diversion at Berry has been straightened, a large retaining wall has been eliminated and adjustments have been made to individual property accesses and boundaries to minimise potential impacts.
It is also intended that RMS will provide a redesigned facility for the Berry Riding Club at its existing location.
