Major Work Begins On Princes Highway Upgrade Between Berry and Bomaderry

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today officially turned the first sod to celebrate the start of major work on the 10.5 kilometre upgrade of the Princes Highway between Berry and Bomaderry.

Mr Ward said that the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has provided $450 million for the Princes Highway upgrade between Berry and Bomaderry to improve safety, increase road capacity, improve traffic flow and deliver better and more reliable journeys.

“One of the reasons I stood for Parliament was to fix the Princes Highway,” Mr Ward said.

“So many said – you’ll never deliver the Gerringong upgrade! We did.

“So many said, “I’ll never be alive to see the Berry bypass”. It’s done.

“The start of major work between Berry and Bomaderry is a significant milestone for this section. Once we get this done – I would have completed the duplication of the Princes Highway throughout our entire electorate of Kiama,” Mr Ward said.

“The NSW Government has engaged Downer Seymour Whyte Joint Venture (DSWJV) to manage the upgrade project, which will create about 300 jobs. Part of the contract requires the contractor to engage apprentices and trainees as well as Aboriginal people in the workforce.

“Once completed, the highway upgrade between Berry and Bomaderry will provide four lanes of divided highway between Waterfall and Jervis Bay Road, south of Nowra.

“We are committed to minimising and mitigating the impacts of its projects to wildlife during and after major work.

“As part of the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade, three fauna crossings will be provided under Flying Fox, Wileys and Jaspers Brush creeks to help small, medium and large mammals including possums, gliders, wallabies, wombats and other native fauna.

“These fauna underpasses are two to three metres wide and include furniture such as logs with and without hollows and rocks, and fauna exclusion fencing,” Mr Ward said.

“Work on the upgrade will typically occur between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays, excluding public holidays and weather permitting. The local community will be informed in advance if night work is required.

“The speed limit between Mullers Lane and Cambewarra Road has been temporarily reduced to 80 km/h to ensure the safety of the community, motorists and workers. In coming weeks additional temporary traffic control measures, including signage and barriers, will be installed.

“Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips, allow extra travel time, keep to the speed limit and follow directions of signs and traffic control.

“Work on the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade is scheduled for completion in 2022. I take this opportunity to thank the community for supporting the campaign to upgrade the Princes Highway and for their perseverance throughout construction,” Mr Ward concluded.