Speaking at the sod turning for the relocation of sports fields at the Croome Road Sporting Complex – which is regarded as the first stage of the bypass project – Ms Berejiklian said the road would be complete three to four years after the successful tenderer is announced. 

“While the initial works are going on we’ll be looking to finalise the tender process for the actual major part of the project,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Once those tenders are issued, the whole project we estimate will be completed in between three or four years. Obviously if we can bring this forward and do it more quickly we will.

“We’re being conservative with those time frames and I hope we’ll definitely have it done in three years if not earlier.”

It is understood the company building the bypass itself will be announced by the middle of the year – which would put a 2021 completion date in the frame.

Work on the relocation of the fields at Croome Road will be carried out by Illawarra company Cleary Bros, providing an estimated 40 jobs.

READ MORE: Ward promises bypass work to start by 2019

The work involves moving AFL, cricket and netball fields to new locations and also altering the rugby league fields because they lie in the planned route of the Albion Park Rail Bypass.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said the various sporting clubs had been consulted over the relocation.

READ MORE: Ward considered forced land grab of sporting complex

“We’ve obviously made sure that before we do any movements we have consulted the sporting clubs,” Mr Ward said.

“I have to say they’re thrilled they’re getting new facilities. We’ve also made sure we’re that we do this at a time when it’s going to best suit their game schedules and practice schedules.

“Some of these facilities have been here for several decades so the fact they’re getting new facilities as a part of it is terrific.”

The sporting complex was the subject of a spat between Mr Ward and Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba.

The MP claimed the mayor was “blackmailing” the government by dragging its feet on the land transfer at the council-owned Croome Road Sporting Complex. The mayor refuted the claim.

Ms Saliba was pleased work on the reconfiguration was going ahead.

“We also worked consistently and cooperatively with Roads and Maritime Services to facilitate the lease of the land that will accommodate the bypass through Croome Road Sporting Complex,” she said.

Though she was concerned about a lack of easy access to the bypass for Albion Park residents.