The government has just four years to build the Albion Park Rail bypass before sections of the Princes Highway resemble a parking lot in the afternoons.
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This is contained in a report from Roads and Maritime Services, which was released in December 2013 when the government began looking into the bypass.
The report states that without the bypass, there are several sections of the highway that will be at capacity by 2018.
The southbound merging lanes from Dapto were predicted to "be at capacity or have major congestion for four hours of the afternoon" by 2018, while the roundabout at the Illawarra Highway would be heavily congested in both the morning and evening peaks.
The Creamery Road and Airport Road intersections will also reach capacity within four years, according to the report.
An accompanying traffic study from Bitzios Consulting, commissioned by RMS, paints an even bleaker picture.
Its analysis shows some of these areas have already reached capacity in the afternoon - and it's predicted to get worse.
In terms of road capacity, the Illawarra Highway roundabout is already at the worst level - "major congestion" - between 3pm and 5pm. It's the same story for the Creamery Road intersection, which is at capacity from 3pm to 6pm every weekday.
The government has moved forward on the planning for the bypass, deciding on a preferred route and lodging a State Significant Infrastructure application.
Speaking on behalf of Roads Minister Duncan Gay, Kiama MP Gareth Ward declined to say whether or not the government felt the bypass had to completed by 2018.
He did point out that planning work on the bypass was already under way.
"I know people are frustrated - I'm frustrated too," Mr Ward said.
"Whilst a lot of people can't necessarily see the planning work that's going on, it's happening.
"You can't look at this project as construction being one thing and planning is separate.
"They are inextricably linked. You have to do the planning work and have the approvals in place before any treasurer will release the funds to construct the project."
He added that he was "convinced" Roads and Maritime Services was doing the planning work as quickly as possible and that the bypass was high on his agenda.
"Obviously, as the local member, I will argue assiduously to see this project happen as quickly as I can possibly make it happen," he said.
"I will continue to argue for the funds that are required."
