“One lane in each direction is now open for motorists at this location,” Kiama MP Gareth Ward said.

“Last month, traffic was diverted onto the new northbound lanes at the north and south ends of the project, and now traffic has been diverted to the new northbound lanes south of Belinda Street.”

Heavy rain last week damaged the surface of the old Princes Highway and the nearby embankment, causing small cracks to appear, reducing the highway to one lane.

“As a result, Roads and Maritime worked with the Environmental Protection Authority to allow work to be carried out around the clock to ensure the new northbound lanes could be completed ahead of schedule,” Mr Ward said.

Traffic has now been moved to the new northbound lanes earlier than anticipated.