Council came under intense pressure over the controversial project that included the removal of vegetation as well as the iconic Bum Tree, north of Beach Road.

It has now rejected six tender bids to undertake the next stage of work on widening the road way.

As part of the $820,000 Federal black spot funding project, council planned to construct wider shoulders and reline-marking with raised rumble pavement markings.

With council’s contribution under its road funding program, $900,000 has been allocated for the project.

Council failed to award the tender for the stage two road works at last Tuesday night’s meeting.

It is believed council rejected the tenders on price, all coming in well above engineers’ pre-construction estimates.

Council is now expected to negotiate with one of the contractors in a bid to finalise a deal.

The start to work will depend on the outcome of those negotiations.

But council hopes to have the work completed by the end of June.

Council did however award a tender on Tuesday night to a local company to upgrade and widen the accident prone Pyree Lane, east of Nowra.

Hisway Pty Ltd has been awarded tender worth almost $1.6 million.

The work will see Pyree Lane, which runs south from Greenwell Point Road at the Pyree Hall to the start of Culburra Road, being significantly widened.

The road has been the site of a number of fatal and serious accidents over the years.

Three of the four companies which submitted tenders for the work were from the local area.