The Illawarra will miss out on the millions of dollars in federal funding for roads and rail in NSW.
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But those who travel south during the Christmas holidays might find the trip a little easier, with some of the funding going towards creating town bypasses.
The federal government is splashing around $3.8 billion for infrastructure projects across the country to try and boost the economy.
Of that the federal government has brought forward $570 million for NSW road and rail projects.
"We're bringing forward these important projects to cut travel times and make roads safer while boosting jobs and the economy," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
None of those millions of federal dollars will be spent in the Illawarra and State Treasurer Dominic Perrottet declined to state if any projects in the area were put forward for a share of that funding.
"The NSW government is committed to delivering its record $93 billion infrastructure program over the next four years, including billions for projects in the Illawarra and South Coast," Mr Perrottet said.
Wollongong MP Paul Scully predicted earlier this week the Illawarra would miss out on getting any of that $570 million.
"We have been putting the case tirelessly for years now that the Maldon-Dombarton rail link should be progressed, the Picton Road should be upgraded and the South Coast line should be improved," Mr Scully said.
"Wollongong is the third largest city in NSW and we have been ignored in relation to substantial game-changing infrastructure projects which will link us to south-west and western Sydney."
The closest the funding will get is the South Coast, where $145 million will be used on the Princes Highway corridor.
This includes furthering work on the Milton-Ulladulla bypass, which will be welcome news to anyone who has travelled through the area during Christmas time or school holidays.
The Milton township is a renowned Princes Highway pinch point on the South Coast.
Other NSW projects to receive a share of the funding include the Parkes bypass and delivery of the Inland Rail ($200 million) and $20 million for the Pacific Highway Woolgoolga to Ballina project.
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
