Thousands more drivers will be heading through Bomaderry after the Berry bypass is opened.
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On Friday, the Mercury reported the government’s Princes Highway Corridor Strategy tipped an increase in traffic through the town after the 2018 opening of the bypass.
This is because a number of motorists using Bolong Road will instead opt for travelling at 100km/h on the new four-lane highway.
“The traffic volumes through Bomaderry and to the north of Nowra are expected to increase when the Berry bypass is opened to traffic as it is anticipated that a proportion of the light vehicle traffic currently using Bolong Road as an alternative north-south connection will use the Princes Highway,” the strategy stated.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) have put a figure on just how many more cars and trucks a day Bomaderry residents can expect.
“Predictive traffic modelling indicates 85 per cent of motorists will use the Princes Highway on completion of the 12.5 kilometre Foxground and Berry bypass, an increase of around 5000 vehicles, with 15 per cent using the ‘sandtrack’ via Gerringong and Gerroa,” an RMS spokesman said.
To address traffic concerrns, RMS was researching the third stage of the Princes Highway extension – from Berry to Bomaderry.
This financial year the NSW Government has allocated $18 million to continue planning the 11.5-kilometre upgrade.
“A traffic model will be developed for the Nowra and Bomaderry town centres to address traffic efficiency, road safety and pedestrian and cyclist issues,” the spokesman said.
“Planning is also under way for a new bridge over the Shoalhaven River at Nowra to improve conditions on the Princes Highway for motorists.
“Part of the Nowra Bridge project involves investigating intersection improvements at Illaroo, Bolong and Bridge roads.”
As well as these projects the RMS spokesman said the organisation was in the early stages of planning in other areas along the Princes Highway to improve traffic flow.