In October last year Kiama MP Gareth Ward and Transport for NSW announced local company GC Civil had been awarded the contract to build the Berry structures, which will run on both sides of the Princes Highway, at Windsor Drive and next to Huntingdale Park Road.

At the time work was expected to start in early 2021.

However, Transport for NSW now says a start to work on the structures won't be until at least May.

"The Berry noise barrier design is currently being finalised," a spokesperson for Transport for NSW said.

Transport for NSW is reviewing the proposal to ensure it meets urban design standards and the requirements of the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the project.

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"Construction is expected to start in May 2021, weather permitting," the spokesperson said.

In October Mr Ward said preliminary designs had been submitted and accepted, with final designs to be officially released but the noise walls would be built using half solid and half transparent acoustic panels, as was the preference of the community.

The NSW Government committed $5.3 million towards two noise barriers projects at Berry and near Coryule Place at Kiama.

Residents Tina Ballard and Nic Delfos, who have led the campaign for action, have questioned if this latest deadline "will be met".

"In November 2018 and prior to the 2019 State Elections, Gareth Ward, announced that the NSW Government had secured $5.3 million to construct noise walls to protect Berry residents, who live adjacent to Mark Radium Park, in Windsor Drive, in Huntingdale Estate and The Arbour from continuously intolerable traffic noise, which is a result of the Princes Highway realignment," Ms Ballard said.

"He [Mr Ward] assured residents that the project would be initiated in the first quarter of 2019 with construction to start in the second quarter of 2019.

"It's significant to note that the entire $580 million 12.5-kilometre Berry Princes Highway upgrade 'progressed at a rapid rate' and opened 'six months ahead of schedule' in July 2017 - with construction time being under three years but a minor project to construct noise-mitigation walls is proving so challenging.

"Even now despite fire, flood and COVID-19, the roadworks at the Albion Park Bypass and the Berry- Bomaderry roadworks continue at an impressive rate.

"But, it's disappointing that a relatively minor project, to promote the well-being of constituents, appears to be so challenging."

Mr Delfos said it is time to commit to a firm date for the works to begin.

"The bypass was completed in July 2017, residents have had their amenity severely affected since then," he said.

"We've had several vague announcements of when the project will start including this Facebook announcement on October 3, 2020 including 'When I make a promise, I always get it done' and work was set to start that month.

"Will this latest deadline be met?"

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