The interchange at the bottom of Mt Ousley is a step closer after a company has been chosen to create a design.
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The NSW government awarded contracts for a detailed concept design and environmental impact statement to Jacobs, an international infrastructure construction company that has built highways in the United States, India and the United Kingdom.
The concept plan will have more detailed information about the design features, identification of impacts and how they could be managed if the interchange was built.
The interchange would create a separate lane for heavy vehicles and a northern entrance into the University of Wollongong.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said this was part of the process of getting the M1 interchange to the shovel-ready stage.
“The next stage is to release the environmental assessment and that will be done in mid-2017,” Mr Ward said.
“I have to stress this project is not funded but it is something that I have campaigned for as the parliamentary secretary. It is a notorious pinch point on the M1.”
Mr Ward declined to say whether the commitment to fund a concept design increased the likelihood of the government building the interchange.
It is a notorious pinch point on the M1.
- Gareth Ward on the base of Mt Ousley Road
“In order to do anything you need to do the planning work first,” Mr Ward said.
“The fact that I’ve been able to secure these funds is a very positive step in the right direction.
“I will continue to be an assiduous advocate for every dollar I can squeeze out of this government for our region.
“There was $1 million allocated in the 2016-17 budget to do this work and I’m very, very pleased that we’ve been able to get the planning work going.
“I will continue to campaign for funds for this project because I think it will be a great victory for the region to improve the efficiency and connectivity of surrounding suburbs and also access into the CBD off the highway.”
Earlier this year, the government released its preferred option for the interchange, citing the need to reduce traffic congestion and the poor safety record for motorists making the right turn from Mt Ousley Road onto the Princes Motorway.
The plans would also see the relocation of the commuter car park at the junction of the motorway and Mt Ousley Road.