Despite the promises of politicians on both sides of the fence, those working along that strip don't hold out much hope of ever seeing the much-talked about Albion Park bypass built.

Terry Mugavin has owned the Bike Hub for two years and said that while the highway did bring in business, an alternative for traffic was needed.

MPs demand action on Albion Park bypass

"We always get a fair bit of passing trade but the bulk of our business is local trade," Mr Mugavin said.

"At the end of the day something needs to be done with this road. The businesses will just need to adapt."

He said traffic on the road was "disastrous" whether on weekday peak hours or on long weekends.

"Friday evening on a long weekend, it's bumper to bumper all the way along," he said.

The road was so busy that it posed a danger to those customers who parked on the roadside outside the shops. Mr Mugavin said at least twice a year a truck will clip an open car door.

Dust was also an issue - Mr Mugavin and his staff have to wipe dirt blown in every day.

Hairdresser Leasa McAllister from Cuts n Curls at Leasa's said she had seen parked cars damaged by vehicles driving past.

"I've seen doors and side mirrors knocked off," Ms McAllister said.

"It's very lucky no-one's been hurt out there. It's dangerous."

She said "the road never stops" but there were certain times when traffic was at its worst.

"Mornings and late afternoons - it's pretty much bumper to bumper from about four o'clock," she said.

"And in the morning you get kids going to school and people going off to work."

Traffic is even worse on wet days when Tongarra Road is closed due to flooding and all those vehicles have to travel along the highway.

While Ms McAllister thought the bypass would make a big difference, she didn't think there was much chance of it happening.

"It would be great if they finished up the road," she said.

"They keep talking about it for a very long time but nothing seems to get done."

Illawarra Auto Spares co-owner Ray Lane said the highway was busy but wondered what would happen to the businesses if the bypass was built.

"It's noisy and congested but what harm's it going to do if we put a bypass in?

"We still get a bit of passing trade here - people driving past and something goes wrong with their car so they pull over and get something."

Mr Lane agreed that the section of the highway at Albion Park had been neglected but didn't expect to see the bypass would be built.

"I don't think we will, they've been talking about it for 20 years," he said.