Bridge questions
I heard the latest round of pork barrelling from our politicians in regard to a proposed additional four lane bridge over the Shoalhaven River.
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The reason for the new bridge is to reduce traffic jams on the A1 through Nowra. I note the proposed new bridge is to be placed on the Western side of the current two bridges and wonder at the short sighted philosophy of this proposed route.
I submit the following argument.
1) The current route through Nowra from Cambewarra road at Bomaderry North of Nowra to Forest road in Nowra South has at least twenty one (21) intersections, this includes side streets main streets with traffic lights and the round-a-bouts in South Nowra, five!
2) Building an additional bridge in the proposed location will not solve the traffic problem because the issue isn’t the bridges it’s the intersections.
3) The suggested sum for construction of this additional bridge is $55,000,000. A tidy sum of money in any one’s language.
If the politicians really wanted to alleviated the traffic problem they must surely consider a by-pass route which would leave the A1 at or around Meroo Road Bomaderry and go down through the eastern side of Bomaderry, cross the Shoalhaven river to Terara East of Nowra, continue through Worrigee, pass to the eastern side of the current South Nowra shopping precinct and return to the current A1 at or around Forest road, south of South Nowra.
Might I suggest that the bridge built for the by-pass could also carry the long proposed rail to at least East Nowra.
This would service the commuters who must use the Bomaderry Station. It is understood that the cost of my proposed by pass route would certainly exceed the cost of the proposed new bridge.
However a portion of the additional cost could be recouped by using the monies allocated for the current road widening from Meroo road to Cambewarra road as this section would no longer require widening.
We the people of the Illawarra and South Coast regions deserve better planning and safer road and rail access to Wollongong and Sydney.
Bruce Chessell, Koonawarra
Greedy fools
One of Aesop’s Fables written around 600 BC provided an adage that serves to invoke caution and the consideration of the long-term consequences from greed-based actions.
This pearl of wisdom is from the fable that warns against “killing the goose that lays the golden eggs”.
There was a man who owned a goose who laid one little golden egg each day, however, this wasn’t enough for the man. He wanted more. He convinced himself the inside of the goose was all gold and he should get all of it in one lump sum. So, he slaughtered the bird expecting finish up with one great big chunk of gold. Well, we all know how that story ended. Over the thousands of years since, communities have sometimes lost sight of the important lesson this little story imparts. However, there has always been some who have constantly ignored it – the greedy and the fools.
Richard Burnett, Wollongong
Helmet saved my life
A big thank you to all the people who came to my aid and contacting the emergency services after my bicycle accident on Sunday morning 29/4/18 at the end of Windang bridge.
Also to the ambos and medical team at Wollongong Hospital for carrying out the utmost care.
Note: The only fatality on the day was my bicycle helmet sustaining a large crack. If I had not been wearing a helmet there is a very good chance I would not be able to write this letter.
So any person that thinks you don’t need a helmet riding a bicycle, think again.
Alan Roberts, Brownsville