If approved, the upgrades would cover a 6.5-kilometre highway stretch between Jervis Bay and Hawker roads. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Fresh details about a long-awaited Princes Highway upgrade for the South Coast have been released.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is planning to transform a 6.5-kilometre stretch of the highway (between Jervis Bay and Hawker roads) into a two-lane road.
Other elements of the proposal include changes to property access off the highway, a new bus stop near the Hawken Road intersection, an emergency U-turn facility and construction of shared pathways.
A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the project was placed on public exhibition this month.
“This section of the Princes Highway was identified by Transport as a priority for upgrade as a key part of the transport corridor for local traffic, freight, tourists and public transport users and provides access to regional coastal and inland towns including Huskisson, Vincentia, Tomerong, Sanctuary Point and surrounding villages,” the document says.
If given the green light, construction is expected to start “in [or] around 2028” and last for three years.
According to the REF, that stretch of the highway has “persistent crash risks” and is often hamstrung during incident clearance or emergency evacuations because of a lack of room.
“The proposal would improve safety for road users by introducing a median barrier and removing right turns across traffic, reducing the potential for collisions,” it outlines.
“The introduction of dedicated property access roads would allow residents to safely turn into properties without needing to slow down on the highway, which can be a cause of rear-end collisions, congestion and slower travel times.
“The upgrade would also improve efficiency by providing two lanes in each direction, introducing a new grade-separated intersection at Hawken Road to reduce congestion and increasing the speed limit on the upgraded highway to 100 kilometres per hour.”
The project will also see the permanent closure of Gorindah Road between Barron Road and the existing Princes Highway.
Works are focused on a section of the Princes Highway near Tomerong. Image: Transport for NSW.
The REF notes the project has been judged “likely to significantly impact” threatened species or ecological communities or their habitats.
An assessment found that 33 threatened fauna species and 22 threatened flora species possibly had habitat within the project’s boundary.
The project would see 50.94 hectares of native vegetation and 36.18 ha of land cleared.
It notes that the removal of the native vegetation is set to increase the gap between connected habitats.
“Key habitat connectivity measures include two fauna underpasses, strategic fauna fencing and provision of arboreal crossing structures that would help to alleviate the risks of vehicle strike, and improve the safety of migrating fauna species and road users,” the document says.
The document claims the planned change will mean most motorists will save between one minute and 90 seconds.
The REF also states that up to about 150 jobs would be needed at the peak of construction, with the project also to provide procurement opportunities for nearby businesses.
“The proposal has been designed to be constructed largely within the existing road corridor to minimise impacts on surrounding land uses … Access for existing businesses fronting the highway would be maintained during construction, allowing them to continue to operate.”
Following the public exhibition process, TfNSW will decide whether the project will continue in its current form (and whether any changes are needed).
The Review of Environmental Factors document is on public display until 19 June.
