The Nowra Bypass project has been a topic of conversation for almost four decades, with land earmarked by Shoalhaven council since 1986.
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It has been heralded as a solution to easing gridlocked traffic through Nowra for residents and holidaymakers, and has received widespread support on all levels of government.
Two key Gilmore candidates, incumbent Labor MP Fiona Phillips and Liberal's Andrew Constance, have both identified pushing for a Nowra bypass as key priorities should they be elected.
On Thursday, Labor pledged $5 million to fund the first phase of the Nowra Bypass upgrade, which would be directed at completing planning studies and setting the stage for construction work to begin.
"We know that people in this community have been calling out for a Nowra Bypass for decades," Ms Phillips said.
"A while ago, I launched a petition and we were inundated with people signing it and [sharing] their own personal stories about how bad the traffic is.
"Make no mistake, this is about getting traffic off that highway there and improving the livability and the workability for people in the Nowra area."
Shoalhaven council identified the Nowra Bypass as a key Princes Highway upgrade in its Advocacy Projects 2022 report.
It requests total funding of $1.84 billion for the project from state and federal governments, with a request of $5 million for the first strategic phase.
"Shoalhaven council has gone out of its way to protect the corridor for this road to make sure that when funding is available, the corridor is there ready," Labor councillor John Kotlash said.
Shadow infrastructure and transport minister, Catherine King, said that design work would in partnership between Shoalhaven council and the state government. But Ms King could not provide a predicted timeline for construction.
It is understood work on the Nowra Bypass project would not be able to start until the Milton Ulladulla Bypass is completed.
Ms King said it was a "failure" of the Morrison Government that the Milton Ulladulla Bypass is still in planning stages.
"They (the government) are here constantly for the announcement ... but they absolutely fail when it comes to the delivery," Ms King said.
"It's why today we're announcing $5 million to undertake planning ... because that has to come first. We know that this project will take some time."
A route that takes traffic around Nowra to the west has been earmarked by council, though some have suggested an eastern bypass to take in small South Coast towns. Ms Phillips said the strategic planning stage would determine the location.
"A lot has changed over the over the decades. So it's important that this is done right, and that's what this money is for," Ms Phillips said.
"I don't want to be here and in 10 years time have no Nowra Bypass."
Funding local infrastructure and roads projects has been a focal point for Gilmore candidates leading up to the federal election.
On Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the South Coast to join Mr Constance in announcing $40 million to fix Shoalhaven's road network.
Shortly after, Ms Phillips matched the announcement.
In March 2021, when Mr Constance was transport minister, he expressed a bypass should happen "sooner rather than later".
He said his aim in the lead-up to the federal election was to push for a Princes Highway strategy, similar to the one which saw the Pacific Highway duplicated and many towns along its route bypassed.
Mr Constance was contacted for further comment.
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Grace Crivellaro
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
