The Durras Community Association has called on the NSW government to upgrade the junction of Durras Road and the Princes Highway, at the South Durras turnoff, and build a left-turn slip lane.
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The Association said the slip lane was urgently needed, before lives were lost at the busy corner.
Secretary Paul May said the turnoff was the only sealed road junction on the highway, between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay, without a left turn slip lane.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen,” Mr May said.
“This junction is on an 100 km per hour section of the Princes Highway and there is no room to slow down and turn safely into the narrow Durras Road when travelling from the north.
“It’s only a matter of time before someone is killed here.
“Our Association has been campaigning for this dangerous junction to be upgraded for many years, but no solid commitments have been made by government to undertake the roadworks.”
He said the lives of visitors, holiday-home owners and visitors to three tourist parks were “being put at risk every day”.
Mr May said the stretch of highway from Ulladulla to Batemans Bay had been neglected, compared to areas north of Ulladulla.
“It’s about time it got its fair share of road funding,” he said.
“Massive amounts of funds are being spent on upgrading the Princes Highway north of Nowra, however very little is being spent on the winding narrow stretch of road between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay.
“As the only sealed road on this stretch of the highway without a left-turn lane, the Durras Road junction should be one of the top projects due for funding for the Ulladulla to Batemans Bay section in the next term of government.”
Mr May said the association had called for the upgrade for several years and had previously met several time with Bega MP Andrew Constance.
“The Association has also repeatedly raised the need for the left turn lane with the NSW Minister for Roads and Roads & Maritime Services (RMS),” Mr May said.
“The advice we have received is that these roadworks are not a ‘priority’ for state government road funding, due to the crash history.
“In other words, a low priority because nobody has died at this junction yet.
“This is not acceptable to the community whose lives are being put at risk on a regular basis.
“Andrew Constance is the NSW Treasurer, so he should be in a position to ensure funding is provided to fix this dangerous junction in his own electorate.”
Mr May said the association had written to Eden-Monaro MP Peter Hendy.
“He has shown no interest in assisting us and just buck passed the issue, stating we should continue to make the case for funding to the NSW Government,” Mr May said.
“Many of the people who regularly use the Durras Road highway junction are holiday- home owners or visitors from Canberra and the ACT.
“We are tired of our lives and safety being treated as a low priority by bureaucrats and state and federal politicians.
“The Durras community calls on whatever party forms government after the NSW Election to commit funding to build a left- turn lane at the Durras Road – Princes Highway junction without further delay.”
He said the association, formerly the Durras Progress Association, was a volunteer group representing residents and landowners.
Related coverage: Constance agrees South Durras junction 'unsafe'
