In a media release just a week out from the NSW State Government budget is handed down South Coast MP Shelley Hancock has revealed that there will major safety upgrades completed on the Princes Highway south of Nowra “This is about improving safety on the Princes Highway now, while we work together to plan for a major upgrade of this important road from south of Nowra to the Victorian border. She advises that more than $10 million will be spent on resurfacing the highway between Tomerong and Batemans Bay and installing a roundabout, roadside barriers, alignment upgrades, improved lighting and audio-tactile line markings.
Nowra’s Island Point Road intersection will have a roundabout, a 2 km section of the highway south of Wandandian will see signs, curve alignment markers, audio-tactile line marking and sealed shoulders.
High-level non-skid surface will be installed at The Wool Road intersection at Tomerong.
At Termeil, a 600-metre section of the Princes Highway will have a wire-beam barrier constructed on the roadside and new signs, curve alignment markers along with a high-level non-skid surface.
Ms Hancock also revealed that there would be more audio-tactile line marking, roadside barriers and sealed shoulders added to the highway from Bawley Point to Batemans Bay and wide centreline treatments to also be placed on the highway.
Mrs Hancock said work would commence in the “near future “I and the Berejiklian Government are committed to delivering a safe and better Princes Highway. This is the first step, as we continue to lobby for an essential 80/20 funding split between the Commonwealth and State governments in order to deliver the Princes Highway that the community expect and deserve,” Mrs Hancock said.
The residents of the Bega electorate will have to wait until the budget to learn what funding and projects are earmarked for the Princes Highway south of Batemans Bay. Gary Smith of TeenSafe Moruya and the spokesperson for the Fix The Bloody Highway campaign pushing for recognition of the Princes Highway from Nowra to Narooma and beyond to the Victorian border welcomed the announcement. Gary told The Beagle "$10 million is wonderful however we cant stop at that". "It is the tip of the iceberg and we need to keep campaigning for more money and for planning. "In the first instance we need overtaking lanes and barriers" "I look forward to hearing of the outcome of the Bega Councils motion they are putting forward to the National General Assembly (NGA) of Local Government to be held in Canberra next week asking that the Princes Highway be recognised as a road of National importance". I also look forward to hearing what funding Andrew Constance has been able to secure from the NSW Budget to be handed down next Tuesday. "Councillor Mayne of the Eurobodalla Council and also the Council's SEATS representative is keen to bring together representatives from all levels to discuss the short and long term plans for the highway inclusive of bypasses and pay respect to the original motion by Councillor Constable requesting the same that was disappointingly not enacted on by Council staff." "This is an urgent matter and one that needs to have leaders to keep the momentum going so that finally we can have the highway identified as being in poor repair and in need of long term commitments that will bring safety and growth." Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis said "I welcome todays commitment by the NSW State Government to invest over $10 million for road funding upgrades along the Princes Hwy between Tomerong and Batemans Bay. "In May, I delivered $155 million for the construction of the new Nowra Bridge, in addition to the $13.8 million for the Far North Collector Road. As a matter of priority, the Princes Highway must be upgraded. "I have discussed the importance of this highway with the Prime Minister, Treasurer and Infrastructure Ministers, as it is the only transport corridor along the South Coast of NSW. An upgraded highway will improve road safety and commute time, reduce driver fatigue, introduce local jobs during the construction phase and create better connectivity throughout Southern NSW."
Above: One of the many Fix The Bloody Highway signs that are beginning to get the message out.
