While some doubt the Albion Park Rail Bypass will ever be built, Gareth Ward insists “it absolutely will happen”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra even gave a guarantee work would start in just over a year’s time.
“People have said this is never going to happen,” Mr Ward said.
“I guarantee that this will be under way by the next election. If you want examples of my capacity to deliver roads projects, take a look out your window at Gerringong, at South Nowra, at Berry, as well as a number of local roads projects around the region.”
The news comes as Shellharbour MP Anna Watson launches a petition calling for Dapto residents to get access to the bypass.
Last month the Mercury revealed that Dapto motorists may not be able to use the bypass.
The Yallah interchange needs to be built to give Dapto residents southbound access but Roads and Maritime Services has said funding has not been allocated and modelling shows it is not yet needed.
If the interchange is not built, then southbound Dapto drivers will have to continue using the Princes Highway.
Ms Watson is aiming to get 10,000 signatures, which will trigger a debate on the issue in NSW parliament.
She felt bypass access for Dapto residents was vital.
“Over the next 20 years, there will be 10s of thousands of new residents in Dapto,” Ms Watson said.
“This is just another short-sighted decision from a government that doesn’t understand our region.
“My community has been waiting decades for this project and they’re not willing to wait any longer.
“The message I have heard is clear – hardworking Dapto residents deserve access to the bypass.”
Mr Ward dismissed the petition as “a grubby stunt by a lazy local member” and said Labor had not committed to building the bypass.
“If Anna Watson is serious about this project, don’t talk about the 1 per cent of the project, commit to 100 per cent of the project,” Mr Ward said.