Shoalhaven City Council Deputy Mayor Matthew Norris; Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King and Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips cut the ribbon to officially open Bannada Way. Photo: Supplied.
Following years of construction, a new road connecting Shoalhaven communities has officially opened.
The road links Illaroo Road in Bangalee with Moss Vale Road at Bells Lane, connecting Cambewarra with Nowra in the Shoalhaven.
After consulting with local experts in the local Dharawal language, Shoalhaven City Council named the new connection Bannada Way. The word ‘bannada’ is southern Dharawal for Bomaderry Creek or ‘running water’.
Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley said the road would increase the number of options for people as they travelled through the region.
“Council is proud to have delivered this city-shaping project, which provides residents with better connectivity and liveability,” she said.
“The community will benefit from reduced traffic and noise on Illaroo Road while being able to commute between the Nowra CBD and Cambewarra more conveniently.
“I’d like to thank the Australian Government for helping us create this critical infrastructure in the Shoalhaven.”
The road will take traffic off the Princes Highway, while also reducing travel times for residents travelling between North Nowra, Bomaderry and Cambewarra.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the infrastructure would benefit everyone.
“The new road will reduce congestion and ensure shorter travel times, which will keep motorists and pedestrians moving between Cambewarra and Nowra,” she said.
“We have stepped up to ensure the final delivery of this critical piece of South Coast infrastructure, which will benefit the Shoalhaven and beyond for decades to come.”
Fully funded by the Australian Government, the $35 million Far North Collector Road improves access to the new urban land release area of Badagarang and offers an alternative connection to the new Nowra Bridge.
Construction ran from June 2020 to July 2024, according to Shoalhaven City Council’s website, though minor ancillary works will continue until September. Motorists may experience minor disruptions during these times, the council said.
Building the Far North Collector Road network included the construction of four bridges, including the 108-metre-long bridge over Bomaderry Creek and floodplain, as well as three new roundabouts.
The project involved 60,000 tonnes of bridging and drainage layer (foundation improvement material), 6000 tonnes of asphalt and 10,800 tonnes of concrete.
The project also supported 250 jobs during construction.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Philips said the project helped to future-proof the region.
“The Albanese Government continues to deliver road safety projects that transform the lives of the Shoalhaven community,” she said.
“The new bridge is reducing traffic congestion in the Nowra area, with the Far North Collector Road upgrades ensuring that as this popular region grows, its roads are ready for the increased demand.”
Now the road is open, Moss Vale Road has returned to two lanes of traffic where the final roundabout was being built.
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