Gerringong has been given the "Rolls Royce" of highway upgrades, according to Kiama MP Matt Brown.But some residents say the design is more Nissan Bluebird.The environmental assessment for the first of three stages of the 32km highway upgrade between Gerringong and Bomaderry is now on exhibition.The first stage includes two major interchanges at each end of Gerringong, one at Belinda St and another at Rose Valley Rd, with a bridge eliminating the Fern St railway crossing.
Princes Hwy plan for Gerringong revealed See the full plans for the proposed upgrade (pdf)More than $200 million is needed to upgrade the 7.5km stretch of highway between Mt Pleasant and Toolijooa.Consultation began in 2006 and work on the first stage could start next year, subject to funding.Mr Brown said he was "touching wood" today's budget would allocate some money.But not everyone likes the design, with Robert Christie of the Princes Highway Safety Group saying the planned road is "underfunded and unsafe".Mr Christie said there were concerns at more than 40 access points - many of them residential driveways that will have direct access to the 100km/h highway.This was a result of the road being built to an "arterial" rather than "motorway" standard, he said."Service roads to intersection points have been requested, but denied," Mr Christie said.The RTA will accept feedback for one month before proceeding with land acquisition, detailed design and construction. South Coast MP Shelley Hancock said Princes Hwy funding must be a priority."Last year the state Labor government slashed funding for the highway by almost $50 million," Mrs Hancock said."Construction and safety upgrades must urgently commence along the highway, including the South Nowra duplication, the dangerous stretch at East Lynne and the Little Forest Road intersection."
