Motorists will soon be able to experience a safer journey along the Princes Highway at Bendalong with essential improvement work starting next week.
Minister for Roads Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the NSW Government has invested $350,000 to install a wire rope safety barrier and audio tactile line marking along the median strip between Bendalong and Luncheon Creek roads.
“We all remember the serious crash that happened on Boxing Day,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Simple infrastructure like this $350,000 work the NSW Government is doing at Bendalong will prevent accidents like that happening.”
Mrs Pavey said the NSW Government recently announced the Road Safety Plan 2021, which details priority actions to help save lives on NSW roads.
“The road toll in 2017 was tragic, with 392 people dying on our roads,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Almost 8 in 10 fatalities on country roads where speed limit is 100km/h or higher, involve the vehicle crossing the centre line or running off the road to the left.
“Many of these crashes can be avoided with simple road infrastructure upgrades.
“This will be the first of around 1600 kilometres of rumble strips and up to 300 kilometres of life-saving flexible barriers and other targeted safety works across the state as part of the Road Safety Plan.”
Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said in five years to December 2016 there were two crashes recorded on this stretch of the Princes Highway which resulted in four people being injured, including three seriously injured.
“One serious injury crash was determined to have involved excessive speed with a single vehicle leaving the road on a curve and one involved a left turning vehicle at the intersection of Bendalong Road,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Work will involve widening the median along this stretch of the Princes Highway as well as installing wire rope safety barrier and audio tactile line marking to improve safety for all road users.
“Crews will also work hard to make changes to the southbound overtaking lane including installing audio tactile markings and painting the median between Luncheon Creek Road and the overtaking lane.
Mrs Pavey said the Princes Highway is a major thoroughfare which connects Sydney to the Victoria border and carries thousands of vehicles a day so it is important to ensure our roads are safe for all road users.
“In the last five years, the NSW Government has invested more than $1 billion upgrading the Princes Highway south of Wollongong including major upgrades such as Gerringong upgrade, Foxground to Berry Bypass, Termeil Creek upgrade, Burrill Lake Bridge upgrade and South Nowra upgrade,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Further upgrades are being carried out along the Princes Highway including the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade and Dignams Creek upgrade with planning in full swing for the Albion Park Rail bypass and new bridges at Batemans Bay and Nowra.
“This spend is unprecedented and the NSW Government will continue to provide safer and upgraded roads for all motorists.”
Mrs Hancock said work is expected to start on Wednesday 7 March and be completed in time for the Easter long weekend, weather permitting.
“There will be some temporary traffic changes including lower speed limits to ensure work is carried out as safely and efficiently as possible.”
“Motorists should plan their journey and allow extra travel time, as some delays may be experienced while work takes place.”
The NSW Government thanks road users for their patience while this important safety improvement work is carried out.
Media Release.
