The joint venture is expected to start work on the 10.5 kilometre project mid year.

Once the upgrade between Berry and Bomaderry is completed, the Princes Highway will be two lanes in both directions between Waterfall and Jervis Bay Road, south of Nowra.

The project is expected to be completed by late 2022 weather permitting and will continue on from the highway upgrades to the north between Gerringong and Berry.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward said the announcement would mean faster and safer travel between Berry and Bomaderry was a step closer.

“The Berry to Bomaderry Princes Highway upgrade has been in the planning for many years, so this is a great day for the community,” Mr Ward said.

“It will improve journeys for locals, tourists and also freight operators by providing four lanes of new divided road between Mullers Lane at Berry and Cambewarra Road at Bomaderry.

“This highway upgrade will continue on from the highway upgrades to the north between Gerringong and Berry.”

He said pedestrian safety would also be improved at various locations along the upgraded highway including the Jaspers Brush and Strongs Road overpass.

“The Princes Highway is a key South Coast route and it’s amazing to think once this project between Berry and Bomaderry is completed, more than 30 kilometres of road will have been upgraded since 2012,” Mr Ward said.

Early work for the upgrade including utility relocations started in March this year and is expected to be completed in coming months, weather permitting.

“In the past five years, the NSW Government has invested more than $1 billion upgrading the Princes Highway south of Wollongong,” Mr Ward said “it includes the Gerringong upgrade, Foxground to Berry Bypass, Termeil Creek upgrade, Burrill Lake Bridge upgrade and South Nowra upgrade.”

South Coast MP Shelley Hancock said with the construction of this missing link imminent, now was the time for all governments to focus on upgrading the Princes Highway south of Nowra.

A date for the start of work on the upgrade is yet to be determined and the community will be kept informed.

More information is available on the website at: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/bbu.