Wollongong City Council has finally solved the problem of how residents will access the F6 freeway in the wake of the expansion of West Dapto.
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The best route over the South Coast rail line has long plagued suburbs west of the tracks, where the population is expected to balloon with the release of several new land developments in the coming decades.
After considering several options over the past 15 months, councillors voted unanimously on Monday night to build a new road from the intersection of the Princes Highway and Fowlers Road to Fairwater Drive.
Under the plan, which forms part of the West Dapto Initial Access Strategy, a bridge will span the rail line and Mullet Creek, and link up with the new Fairwater Drive roundabout. The council said the route would provide direct access to the F6 and be less likely to flood in heavy rain.
Ward 3 Labor councillor Chris Connor said the long-awaited solution would be well received by his constituents.
"The people of West Dapto have been asking for this bridge to be built for years," he said.
"[This option] has proved to be the most effective and logical and has been identified as necessary within the next five to 10 years."
He said funding from all levels of government would be needed to advance the project and hoped to see the access road installed as soon as possible.
The NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure has provided $600,000 to assist the council in designing the bridge, which Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said would help to kick-start the project.
"I have been really excited to see the parts of the West Dapto Initial Access Strategy starting to come together," Cr Bradbery said.
"This decision to pursue a road link that will provide another option for those living and working in the area is great news."
The council will soon call for tenders to develop a "shovel ready" design for the new road.
Councillors also voted to accept a $5.69 million tender for the realignment works on Shone Avenue at Horsley. Stage 1 work is expected to begin mid-2013 and include realigning the road, creek diversion and constructing a two-lane bridge.
