The Federal Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis is celebrating the second significant road opening in a week.
Following on from the opening of Turpentine Road where $6.6 million was invested to completely seal the short cut to Jervis Bay, with all the local and tourism benefits, now we have another great road safety improvement.
The Federal Government has spent $3.2 million relocating the dangerous intersection of Little Forest Road and the Princes Highway, Milton, about 380 metres south of the old intersection.
Mrs Sudmalis gave credit to her colleague Mrs Shelley Hancock, State Member for South Coast for her original suggestion to have this project listed as part of the Gilmore Safety Package for the 2013 Federal Election.
This was achieved. However the original allocation of funding was short by more than a million dollars, after the consultation process was completed with the local residents.
“I had to lobby the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development for the additional funds,” Mrs Sudmalis said.
“I have to say, looking at the changed intersection, the effort was absolutely worth it.”
The new position of the intersection also meant that powerlines had to be relocated, “so there has been a great deal of meticulous planning taking place”.
“Congratulations to the RMS, the local residents and the electricity pole workers for their dedication and genuine care for the safety and success of the project,” Mrs Sudmalis said.
Little Forest Road resident for the past seven years, Natalia Goozeff, welcomed the change after experiencing a few near misses while using the old intersection.
“It’s just frightening, every time you pulled out you felt like you were at risk,” she said.
Mrs Hancock said the opening “means a lot” to the local residents.
“It’s a momentous day,” she said. Media Release
