The $94 million project that will link Fowlers Road to Fairwater Drive would also provide another access route to the growing West Dapto area.

On Tuesday, Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery was on hand as geotechnical drilling work began in preparation for the construction of the approaches to the two bridges on the 1.3-kilometre section of road.

The bridge approach work will be put out to tender by the end of the year, Cr Bradbery said.

He also said the project should be completed in five to 10 years, because of the need to complete it in stages due to the high cost of the project.

“To put it into context, our budgeted capital works program for the entire council area for next year is $101 million,” Cr Bradbery said.

“If we took $94 million out of that we wouldn’t be able to do anything else in the city.”

Wollongong City Council has  $22.5 million in funding from the long-term lease of Port Kembla.

Cr Bradbery said the council had assembled around a third of the project costs at this stage, largely through government grants.

“We’re hoping the rest will be funded by Section 94 contributions, borrowings and grants,” he said