The Federal and NSW governments will invest $45 million in the Princes Highway because poor road design by state planners
The Federal and NSW governments will invest $45 million in the Princes Highway because poor road design by state planners is threatening safety.
The funds will need to be invested in eliminating dips, crests and curves between Bendalong Roads the new Conjola Creek bridge.
NSW will invest $35 million, with the remaining $10 million coming from the Rudd Government. The 3.5km section of the highway to be upgraded links southern Illawarra, Sapphire Coast and Eurobodalla.
“The section in question takes motorists along a winding road over Conjola Mountain in southern NSW and was the scene of 35 reported crashes in the five years to September 2006,” a statement from the office of Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Anthony Albanese says.
“In this case, it appears poor road design is costing lives.”
The money will also be spent on separating the opposing lanes of traffic with a wire rope median, constructing an overtaking lane along the steep part of the highway and building four reinforced earth walls and a 120-metre bridge.
This, Albanese’s office says, will remove many of the dangers along the popular freight route, which carries more than 6,000 vehicles a day.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of December 2009.