More than a thousand people have signed a petition over missing M1 Princes Motorway on ramps in the Dapto area.
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Ever since the motorway was constructed, there has been no way for Kanahooka and Dapto residents to get on the M1 easily.
Both Fowlers Road and Kanahooka Road overpasses only have on ramps for traffic looking to head north, not south.
The problem has been exacerbated by the construction of the Albion Park Rail bypass, which southbound Dapto drivers will not be able to access.
Instead they will have to continue to drive through Albion Park Rail after the Yallah interchange was not constructed.
"This oversight sees many residents forced to either go north to the Berkeley M1 on ramp which adds up to 10 to 15 minutes to our trip to head south to link up with bypass or go through Albion Park Rail - the very reason why the bypass was created was to reduce traffic in this area," the petition stated.
"We see they are spending $25 million on the West Dapto Road upgrade but not one cent or thought into Dapto residents' exits out of our suburb."
This oversight sees many residents forced to go north to the Berkeley M1 on ramp, which adds up to 10 to 15 minutes to our trip.
- A petition calling for southbound on ramps for the M1 Princes Motorway
So far more than 1100 people have signed the Change.org petition, which calls for an on-ramp at either of the two overpasses.
"There is plenty of room for this ramp to go either on Fowlers Road or Kanahooka Road," the petition stated.
A Transport for NSW spokesman said a strategic study of the M1 corridor between Mt Ousley and Yallah was under way.
That study would assess the need for on and off ramps for motorists travelling to or from the south.
"But no decisions have been made," the spokesman said.
However, it does not appear those southbound on ramps will be a high priority in the study.
"Historically, reviews of land use and travel patterns in the area indicated that the existing ramps serving traffic travelling to and from the north were sufficient for most people's needs," the spokesman said.
"It is expected that the most efficient way for Dapto residents to travel south will be through Albion Park Rail using the existing Princes Highway."
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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.
