Several properties in the path of the planned route have also been acquired.

“The upcoming work on the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade includes finalising property purchases and starting early work including relocating utility services, clearing trees and shrubs and fencing work,” Kiama MP Gareth Ward said. 

Mr Ward, who is also the Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra, said it made sense to get the design work completed now even though there is no money to build the third stage of the Princes Highway upgrade.

“You can't just front up to government and say ‘build something’ without having done the planning work,” Mr Ward said.

“That’s what we're doing, to make sure that I can make a pitch for the funding. Until you have all of the property purchased, all of the planning approval, you can’t seek that next stage of funding.”

The upgrade will include about 10.5 kilometres of four-lane divided highway from Mullers Lane – the end of the Berry Bypass upgrade – to the roundabout at the Princes Highway and Cambewarra Road intersection.

An upgrade to the roundabout to handle a four-lane highway was announced last week.

The design also features two highway overpasses both of which will be designed to rust – at least partially.

The overpasses at Strongs Road and Meroo Road will be built from “weathering steel”.

“This steel was chosen as it complements the rural environment and requires minimal maintenance,” a Roads and Maritime Services spokesman said.

“The steel is designed to form a thin coating of rust, called a patina. This steel has been used in bridges and buildings all over the world.”

Mr Ward said the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade wouldn’t overshadow the Albion Park Rail bypass.

”Berry to Bomaderry isn’t being done at the expense of Albion Park Rail,” he said.

“Albion Park Rail is the next priority in the region. Berry to Bomaderry will come after Albion Park Rail.

“We may be able to do them both consecutively but that would rely on government funding.”