It's "one of the most dangerous intersections" Ryan Park says you will find, and he wants the government to chip in some more funding to get the Mt Ousley interchange moving.
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With NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announcing November 17 as the date he will hand down the budget, Keira MP Mr Park has highlighted the interchange as a top priority for funding.
The project would provide for grade separation between heavy and light vehicles and include a new northern entrance to the University of Wollongong.
It would also put an end to motorists entering the motorway from Mt Ousley Road.
"What we have here is one of the most dangerous intersections on the entire M1 Motorway, " Mr Park said.
"It is the only area where you turn right across a motorway and head uphill in front of oncoming traffic heading down towards you."
Calling it one of the region's "most important pieces of infrastructure" Mr Park said the interchange needed just $6 million in funding to move it to the next stage.
"It's absolutely critical that this project gets funded because we know that a stalling of this phase at this stage will only see the project cost a lot more in the future," he said.
Mr Park also wanted to see attention given to the planning work already under way to duplicate sections of Picton Road.
"We do believe there is an opportunity to continue the work of Transport for NSW and the Planning Department to identify the next stage of duplication and continue that work over the next few years to create a pipeline of works that will eventually see Picton Road duplications," he said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen the government deal with a lot of unforeseen expenses, which Mr Park acknowledged would mean less money in the budget.
But he said that was why the government had to focus its priorities on the most worthwhile projects.
"That's why I've focused on projects that are job-generating, that support our local economy and at the same time create better road safety outcomes," he said.
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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.
